A 24-hour walkout by hundreds of conductors at Arriva Trains Northern ended at 0000 GMT on Sunday.

But at the same time, drivers on First North Western began their second day of a 48-hour strike.

Both disputes are over pay and come at one of the busiest times of year for travellers.

We are very disappointed that the union has decided to hit what is undoubtedly one of the most important times in the year for so many people Ray Price Arriva

The drivers' strike was called off but reinstated when the union Aslef rejected a 4% pay increase.

It claims the company broke a promise to increase drivers' pay to �28,000 a year.

Aslef also plans to strike on New Year's Eve, 1 January, 2 and 3 February.

Arriva conductors are planning further 24-hour stoppages next Tuesday, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

The company said 80% of its network will be covered by services on all four days of action.

Managing director Ray Price added: "Clearly we are very disappointed that the union has decided to hit what is undoubtedly one of the most important times in the year for so many people.

"However, due to the excellent support of those employees not engaged in the strike, and my management team's hard work, we will provide a robust service for customers."

New offers

Arriva said it had made four separate pay offers since the dispute started in January, including the latest suggested deal of a 4% basic rise plus the chance to earn an extra 1% through modernisation and a �200 lump sum.

The union has been campaigning to increase the pay of a conductor from what it said was a basic of �15,500, to more than �17,000.

Arriva said its conductors earned an average of �20,000 a year for a 42-hour week.

The dispute is now one of the longest running in the country and Saturday's strike was the 23rd walkout since the industrial action began.

Brendan O'Friel from the North West Rail Passengers Committee said there was a danger that by striking so close to Christmas the drivers and conductors could lose public support.

He added: "I must say it is quite extraordinary from a passenger perspective to see that the industry has not got its act together and there is no system in place to deal with fall outs between staff and management."