Warwick's MP has demanded an explanation from Chiltern Railways after the company announced all Midlands services will be cancelled for almost a month due to ongoing industrial action.

The operator will run no services north of Banbury from December 13 to January 8 as members of the RMT union plan to strike on four days in December and a further four in January.

But MP for Warwick and Leamington Matt Western has demanded a meeting with Chiltern and said the decision - which impacts both of Warwick's stations - is "not acceptable".

"It's incredibly short notice and I know how many people locally use these services, from Leamington, Warwick and Warwick Parkway. This decision will be hugely disruptive for much of our community," he said.

"I wrote to Chiltern this morning [December 9] to ask for an explanation on this and why the service is suspended for much longer than the rail strikes are taking place.

"I've just sent them a follow up letter after learning that Chiltern is the only train company suspending an entire section of their line over the coming month of disruption.

"From what I can see, many other rail companies are providing some level of service rather than completing stopping the service.

"It's not acceptable. I've asked for a meeting as soon as possible."

Matt Western MP has written to Chiltern Railways twice demanding and explanation

A spokesperson for Chiltern Railways said: "We are disappointed to have to reduce our services significantly over the festive period due to industrial action by the RMT, and wholeheartedly apologise for the disruption this will cause our customers at such an important time of the year.

"The disruption will be substantial, and customers should only travel on our services if absolutely essential.

"The overtime ban in place has put immense pressure on our train maintenance depots, and this has resulted in us having to offer a reduced service throughout the whole period of industrial action and the day after the action ends.

"During this time, there will be no service north of Banbury. In particular, it has forced us to close our train maintenance depots on Sunday 18 December, and as such, we will not be able to operate a service on this day.

"We have exhausted all options, and this is not a decision that has been taken lightly. We apologise to customers for the inconvenience that this will cause."