Fresh talks between Southern Railway and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union to resolve a bitter dispute over staffing and driver-only trains will be held later this month.

The RMT union announced it would be holding talks with Southern on Monday, April 24, and Tuesday, April 25, in a bid to bring an end to the year-long discord.

Its statement came after the union coordinated a walkout on Saturday, April 8, to coincide with the Grand National in Aintree, which caused misery for passengers who made the journey to Liverpool.

Read more: Train drivers’ union put brakes on Southern deal

It was the 31st day of strike action taken by RMT members over the role of conductors and on board supervisors.

Commenting on the upcoming meetings RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: "The union welcomes the opportunity to engage with Southern Rail in further talks. We would prefer the process to get under way sooner if that was possible.

"We expect there to be no efforts to undermine these important talks from other parties and that they will be allowed to take place free from external interference."

A Southern spokesman said: "We're pleased to be meeting the RMT later this month in a bid to try and find a route forward to end their dispute.”