Mediation talks between rail and union bosses aimed at ending the rail strike have failed.

Talks between rail operator Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and train drivers' union Aslef have ended in stalemate. The talks were presided over by arbitration service Acas.

GTR has blamed the unions for failing to accept the offer on the table.

Nick Brown, chief operating officer of GTR, Southern's parent, said:"We're deeply disappointed, as our passengers will be, that Aslef has been unable to accept our proposals and that we cannot find a way forward to end this dispute with the drivers' union at this stage.

"We put a practical offer on the table yesterday for the union to consider overnight with the aim of getting tomorrow's strike called off.

"Today we explored a number of initiatives with them. We're pleased that the union did acknowledge to us today they welcomed our attempts to find solutions. But, regrettably, they simply will not shift from their entrenched position and rigid opposition to our modernisation plans.

"Once again, Aslef want to go back and not look forward.

"Passengers and businesses are being held to ransom by the unions' wholly unjustified and unnecessary industrial action. The real victims of these strikes are passengers who simply want to receive the train service they deserve to get them to work and home again.

"Aslef claims drivers closing doors is inherently unsafe. The Office of Rail and Road and the Rail Safety & Standards Board have stated that drivers closing doors is a safe mode of operation. For 30 years trains have been running up and down the country's railways this way and today over a third of the national train network runs this way.

"So the public will be simply perplexed the union is maintaining such an entrenched position given that drivers being fully in charge of the train is so commonplace today.

"We're sincerely sorry that commuters' work and family lives are being punished with this unjustified and unprecedented industrial action. The unions must stop the pain and suffering blighting passengers and commerce.

"We will continue with our plans to modernise our railway and the services we offer customers. We urge the union to think again and work with us and move forward together. Our door remains open."

A statement by Aslef read: "Talks between Aslef and GTR continued at Acas today but no progress was made. Aslef’s door remains open for future talks."

Aslef members are set to go on strike again tomorrow for the third day of industrial action this week.

The long-running saga is over union opposition to driver-only trains, with concerns passenger safety will be compromised if drivers are responsible for closing doors using onboard cameras.

The strike is separate from ongoing action between GTR and the Rail, Maritime and Transport workers' union, which has been representing conductors over the same issue.

There will be no Southern services tomorrow (Friday). Gatwick Express will run every half an hour, instead of every 15 minutes, while Thameslink will run a normal timetable. GTR has advised passengers not to travel.