Track and signalling staff with the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) could take industrial action within a fortnight in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

Employees at seven out of the eight maintenance companies whose ballot results have been announced voted for strike action by margins of up to five to one.

The vote at one company was against.

Workers at a further six companies are expected to declare their results in the next seven days.

Commuters may be hard hit by rail strikes

An RMT spokesman said: "If we don't see progress soon, we are looking at industrial action within the next 14 days.

"Disruption will be considerable and it could well continue throughout the summer."

The union members are involved in a long-running dispute over the renegotiation of the British Rail contracts which privatised maintenance firms inherited.

Workers want a new package, including basic salaries of £16,000 to £27,000, extended holiday entitlement, a 35-hour week and "reasonable" overtime rates.