SOME limited Virgin Cross Country rail services were expected to run through York today, despite a national guards strike.

About 3,000 members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) were staging the first of three 24-hour walkouts in a long-running dispute over the safety role of guards, with the prospect of further industrial action unless the row is settled.

No Virgin services through York had been planned for today by the company, which is one of nine operators to be hit by the industrial action. But Virgin spokesman David Ewart today said the situation was better than expected, as more guards turned up for work.

A limited service linking Birmingham and Newcastle, taking in York, was now expected to run, but travellers were advised to check with National Rail Inquiries before setting off.

Mr Ewart said: "Our plans for Cross Country services didn't include York, our plan was for two early shuttle trains between Sheffield and Bristol.

"But we are being able to run extra cross country trains linking Birmingham and Newcastle.

GNER and Arriva Trains Northern were not involved in today's strike action and their services were running as normal. Two more 24-hour walkouts are planned for Monday and April 17.

Managers and supervisors were standing in for striking guards, while special buses and coaches were being laid on to replace some of the cancelled trains.

The union believes the guards' role is being diminished and jobs are threatened.

Updated: 10:40 Friday, March 28, 2003