Strikers in Tonbridge were among 50,000 rail workers staging a 24-hour walkout across the UK today.

Workers from four unions are taking part in the strike, which has resulted in the worst rail disruption of the year so far.

The action is the latest following a long-running dispute over rail workers' pay and conditions, and today's strike is the first time the four unions - RMT, Aslef, Unite and the TSSA - have walked out on the same day.

The unions voted “resoundingly” to take industrial action against the companies they say have failed to give workers a pay rise matching inflation.

It's thought only about one in 10 services are running, with large parts of the network being brought to a halt. No Southeastern trains were running in Kent today.

Paddock Wood Labour Party group showed support for the action, posting on Facebook: "Good to see solid support for the pickets in Tonbridge from the public.

"Solidarity with those taking strike action from Paddock Wood Labour Party."

Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said: “Despite our best efforts to compromise and find a breakthrough in talks, rail unions remain intent on continuing and co-ordinating their strike action.

“This serves only to ensure our staff forgo even more of their pay unnecessarily, as well as causing even more disruption for our passengers and further damaging the railway’s recovery from the pandemic.

“Passengers who want to travel this Saturday, and indeed next Wednesday and next Saturday, are asked only to do so if absolutely necessary.

"Those who must travel should expect disruption and make sure they check when their last train will depart.”