ASLEF train drivers will begin a week-long rolling programme of one-day strikes today over their bitter pay freeze dispute.

The rail union said that members across 16 train firms will walk out from Saturday to next Friday alongside a nine-day overtime ban.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said the action was to “express our disgust at the intransigence of this government, and the bad faith shown by the private companies which employ us.”