Tube drivers will shut the Central Line down days before Christmas as industrial relations reach "breaking point".

The RMT Union has announced its members will strike from 8pm on Friday, December 21.

While daytime commuters will not be affected, people out late will have to find alternative ways home.

The drivers will return to work 24 hours later.

The scheduled action is the latest in a string of strikes called by the RMT Union, which claims not enough drivers have been employed and is protesting over a driver's dismissal.

General secretary Mick Cash said: “Industrial relations along the Central Line have been at breaking point for some time now.

“RMT members on the Central line have made it clear that they have had enough and are prepared to stand up and fight for workplace respect and justice.”

News of the strike did not please Nick Dent, director of line operations for London Underground.

He said: “The further strike action called by RMT remains totally unjustified.

"They are demanding the reinstatement of a driver who was sacked for failing a drugs test, something for which we have zero tolerance.

“We always strive to run a reliable service but our commitment to the safety of both customers and staff is absolute and something we will never compromise on.

"I urge the unions to call off this entirely unnecessary strike action which will only cause disruption to our customers during the festive period.”