LAST-MINUTE crisis talks to prevent a First Great Western strike starting tonight have broken down.

Transport union RMT said it had met with First Great Western earlier today but the two parties could not come to an agreement.

This means a 48-hour strike on FGW services will still go ahead tonight from 6.30pm.

Members voted to take industrial action over plans to axe guards and buffet cars on the new Hitachi Inter City Express trains between London and Bristol.

Routes from Banbury through Oxford to Didcot Parkway and Reading are expected to run on time, however there will be no FGW services to Weymouth, portsmouth and Brighton.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: "At the present time, the company still feel that the configuration of the new Super Express Trains is out of their control and that it would be in their best interests to have Driver Only Operation and to remove the buffet cars. 

"That position is totally unacceptable and the union is clear that the design of the new fleet of trains is a matter for First Group and that there is still time to modify the rolling stock.

"Exactly as has happened on East Coast who will be operating the same units.

"We were also unable to reach agreement on the future of the Fleet/Engineering Grades and FGW would not provide this union with assurance that the Transfer of Undertakings regulations will be adhered to.

"Therefore, the 48-hour strike remains on as follows."