Britain will be hit by a Spring of discontent with Easter plans thrown into chaos as British Airways cabin crew walkout and National Rail workers strike.

Talks at the Trade Union Congress building between the Unite Union and British Airways broke down this evening, and three days of strike action by 11,500 staff will now start at midnight tonight.

Unite said a deal put forward by BA boss Willy Walsh was "even worse than the last one".

Walsh said "it was deeply regrettable" the union turned down the deal.

Earlier today the Rail Maritime and Transport Union announced that its members had voted 54% for a national strike, signal workers will down tools over a planned 1,500 job cull by National Rail.

The industrial action coincides with walkouts by maintenance workers. Early Easter, the traditional maintenance work period, has been targeted, supervisors in workshops and depots across the country will now take part in a national strike - the first since 1996.

Rail bosses may hold out hope a settlement can be reached given the weak mandate and there are seven days until the strike.