RAIL passengers' misery looks set to continue after talks broke down between a drivers' union and a train company.
Strikes on August 27 and 28 and September 10 and 11 will now go ahead on First North Western Trains.
The company runs the East Lancashire line from Preston to Colne and Clitheroe to Manchester.
Conciliation service ACAS arranged the latest talks with FNW and ASLEF, which took place in Manchester, and lasted for one hour before breaking down.
Vernon Barker, managing director for FNW said: "We had hoped we could work with ASLEF for the benefit of our passengers to settle this dispute.
"I again appeal for them to put the concerns of the North West's travelling public first, to call off the strikes and allow genuine talks to continue.
"We and our passengers are in a state of limbo because of the union's attitude and all the uncertainty is damaging the rail industry."
FNW has offered its drivers a 19 per cent pay rise over three years.
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