A GROUP of rail workers formed a picket line outside of Basingstoke train station as another strike action began.

Picket lines have been formed up and down the country as more than 40,000 rail workers go on strike on Thursday, August 18.

The strike has been called by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, with signallers, track workers, telecommunication workers, guards and many other railway workers striking.

The strike aims to achieve three goals. Firstly, the union members are campaigning for no compulsory redundancies. They are also hoping to bring attention to attacks on their terms and conditions. Finally, the union is hoping for a cost of living pay rise, in line with the soaring inflation that is currently gripping the UK.

READ MORE: 'I can only apologise': Railway boss sends plea to passengers ahead of upcoming strike days

This is the largest industrial action of its kind in decades.

Basingstoke residents will be affected by a further strike on Saturday, August 20, with reduced services on that day.

With only one in five trains running between 7.30am and 6.30pm, commuters are urged to only travel by train if necessary.

Services will also be affected on the morning of Friday, August 19, with a later start as employees return to duty.