Strikes by train guards are on course to severely disrupt train services tomorrow after the breakdown of last-minute peace talks.

RMT union leaders spent almost six hours yesterday talking to representatives from nine train companies, including South Central, in a bid to reach a compromise in their dispute over safety.

The first of three 24-hour strikes is set to begin tomorrow, followed by walkouts on Monday and on April 17.

Last-ditch efforts to avert industrial action were expected to take place this morning but rail operators are finalising their contingency plans to keep disruption to a minimum.

South Central, which runs services across Sussex, said it would try to run as many peak-time services as possible but warned passengers to expect some delays.

Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, predicted up to 3,000 guards would walk out causing "major disruption" to services.

South Central said it would be running a near normal service on the Brighton main line and Thameslink and Gatwick Express services would run as normal.

However, services to and from Watford junction would not run.

There was also unlikely to be a service between Barnham, Chichester, Portsmouth and Bournemouth.

There would also be no services between Eastbourne and Hastings, Lewes and Seaford, or Hastings and Ashford.

Charles Horton, South Central managing director, said: "The strike has the potential to cause our passengers significant inconvenience and I would like to apologise for any disruption.

"We are determined to run the best possible service across the network but passengers should expect their trains to be more crowded."

Passengers are advised to check services by calling National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950, South Central on 0870 830600, or to check for updates on the South Central web site www.southcentraltrains.co.uk