Drivers at the rail company responsible for Britain's "worst train service" have voted to stage strike action over pay.
Members of the Aslef union have added to the woes of operator Southern railway, backing a walkout by 91 per cent.
The turnout was 85.3 per cent, meaning both this and votes were well above a threshold being planned by the Government for union strike ballots.
Aslef said it is meeting the company tomorrow for talks to try to resolve the dispute.
But a Southern railway spokesman today said: "We are of course very disappointed that Aslef has rejected our above inflation pay offer.
"We will be continuing discussions with union representatives with the aim of finding a resolution and avoiding action that will affect our passengers."
It came as Southern railway services were hit by disruption this morning thanks to a signal problem and the operator became embroiled in a row over allegedly fining London commuters after a packed train meant they were forced into first class.
Southern railway was found to be running the "worst train service" in Britain after figures showed the 7.29am Brighton-London train didn't once arrive on time during its 240 journeys in 2014.
At the time, a spokesman for Southern railway said the firm was "working closely with Network Rail" on its improvement plan but acknowledged there was "a long way to go before it reaches a more acceptable level."
