Train drivers on the Gatwick Express are to stage four one-day strikes, including stoppages on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

The move, in a dispute over pay, follows an overwhelming vote in favour of industrial action by drivers on the direct rail service from Gatwick to central London.

The strikes will be held on November 28 and December 8, as well as December 24 and 31, threatening chaos for thousands of passengers.

Drivers' union Aslef is seeking a six per cent pay rise for its members, who currently earn £28,215.

The company has offered three per cent with a further one per cent based on productivity but the union is holding out for a rise which would take salaries over £30,000.

About 60 drivers work for the company, mainly based at Gatwick.

More than 95 per cent voted to take industrial action.

Aslef said the company was making "vast profits" but Gatwick Express drivers were among the lower paid in the rail industry.

District secretary Steve Grant said an agreement had been reached in principle with local management to settle the dispute but had been turned down.

He said: "Unless the company goes back to at least the agreement we had in principle then the strikes will go ahead."

He said there would be a meeting with managers next week to attempt to resolve the situation.

Gatwick Express is owned by the transport giant National Express.