STAFF employed by the Settle and Carlisle Railway Development Company - providing at-seat catering on Northern Rail services between Carlisle and Settle - are to take strike action on Saturday in a row over compulsory redundancies.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said the redundancies had been a kick in the teeth for loyal and hard-working staff who had fought to save and develop this well-loved service and it was a "regrettable and wholly avoidable" dispute.

"The union remains available for further talks,” he added.

But development company general manager Drew Haley said cost-cutting was necessary and the man at the centre of the row had been offered an alternative job and a "significant" voluntary redundancy package.