The first national rail strike for a decade is looming after signal workers and maintenance staff voted for stoppages in a dispute over pay and pensions.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union employed by Network Rail voted by 58 per cent to 42 per cent in favour of walkouts.

The union has promised that there will be no action over the Bank Holiday weekend or during events marking the 60th anniversary of D-Day, on June 6.

"At a time when improvements are starting to come through on the railway and passenger confidence is improving, the last thing passengers need is a strike," said transport secretary Alistair Darling.