TRAIN strikes could delay racegoers this weekend.

Members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) have walked out today, Thursday, in an ongoing dispute over the role of guards.

A further strike is planned for Saturday, when York Racecourse is due to hold its first weekend meeting of the season.

A spokesman for Northern Rail said there will be limited services running urged passengers to plan their journeys ahead.

Sharon Keith, regional director at Northern, said: “It’s a bank holiday weekend, the weather is going to great and thousands of people will head to the races for a day out.

“We want them all to enjoy the day, but are calling on our customers to plan their journey to and from the courses carefully.

“We will have a reduced number of trains in operation through the day and, in some cases, there won’t be any trains at all – particularly in the evening after the meetings.”

Trains are expected to be busy and there will be fewer services running after 7pm.

Sharon added: “We’ll do everything we can to run services to get people to Cartmel, Chester and York, but we really need people to think carefully about their travel, make sure they have plans to get to and from the city and consider whether trains are the best option for them.”

For revised timetables and more information visit northernrailway.co.uk/strike.