The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and South Western Railway (SWR) have agreed to last-minute talks over the guards dispute. 

As reported, strikes are to take place Monday to Friday from December 2 until 20, with trains running through Salisbury reduced and cancelled in the lead up to Christmas.

One train an hour will be travelling from Salisbury to London Waterloo in each direction, and no South Western Railway services will be running from Salisbury to Bristol Temple Meads.

A reduced train service will run between Salisbury and Exeter Central, with one train every two hours running in each direction. These services will start later and finish earlier than usual. Trains from Salisbury to Romsey via Southampton Central will not be running.

The RMT have now announced that it and SWR have agreed to talks with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) tomorrow. 

ACAS is a public body, and its purpose is to improve organisations and working life through the promotion and facilitation of strong industrial relations practice.

An RMT Spokesperson said: "Following a further exchange of correspondence both RMT and SWR have agreed to talks through ACAS tomorrow. 

"The RMT team will be led by General Secretary Mick Cash and we believe that there is a deal there to be done and the union will work tirelessly to secure that objective."