RAIL workers at Hull Trains have voted to go on strike in protest at the "unwarranted" redundancy of a colleague.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union backed industrial action by 9-1.

The union claimed one of its members was "forced out" after challenging a senior manager for verbally abusing a member of staff.

The RMT executive will consider the next move following the vote.

A spokesman for Hull Trains, which runs services from Selby and Howden to a number of destinations including London, said: "Following the unfortunate but necessary redundancy of a Hull Trains employee and the subsequent ballot by the RMT seeking her reinstatement, we were disappointed to learn that trade union members yesterday voted in favour of industrial action.

"We have enjoyed a good working relationship with our trade union colleagues for many years and so it was disappointing not to have received a response from the RMT to our formal offer to resolve the dispute.

"This follows the unprecedented RMT decision to ballot Hull Trains employees immediately following an unsuccessful appeal hearing and, crucially, before talks which were designed to make industrial action a last resort.

"We will continue our commitment to constructive talks with the RMT. The priority is to resolve this matter quickly and amicably to minimise the impact on everyone affected."