British rail firms have warned travellers to avoid using the country's rail network over the Christmas period as planned engineering works will severely disrupt services.
Rail users have been told to expect extensive delays, seat shortages, long queues and expensive tickets.
Engineering works will sever the two main West Coast and East Coast rail links, with passengers forced to use buses for the rest of their journey.
Travel between London and Edinburgh, York, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow will be affected.
Engineering work on the Trent Valley route will also affect travel between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.
London Liverpool Street station, a major hub in the network, will be closed from 23 December to 2 January, affecting rail travel to Stansted Airport.
Train operator Virgin has warned passengers to expect significant delays.
"Avoid travelling if you can between Christmas and New Year,” the company says.
By Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh
