Workers at South Western Railway are to take industrial action over claims of victimisation of union members who have been on strike in the long-running dispute over the role of guards on trains.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union working as guards in Bournemouth and Weymouth will ban overtime and rest day working from July 17.

The union has held a series of strikes at SWR and other rail operators in a dispute stretching back over two years.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT members at both the Weymouth and Bournemouth depots have shown overwhelming support for their victimised colleagues in the industrial action ballots and as a result the union has confirmed a ban on overtime and rest day working.

"RMT is clear that the disciplinary process has been abused in these cases and the extreme punishments carried out are totally disproportionate.

"We have no doubt that our members will support the action which we hope will force SWR to reconsider their position and see the only fair conclusion to this dispute, which is the immediate reinstatement of our colleagues to their substantive roles without delay."