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Londoners face travel chaos on Christmas Eve after Tube drivers announced last-minute strike action.

Drivers on the Central Line are planning to walk out in a row over the dismissal of a fellow driver for "gross misconduct".

Transport for London is warning passengers to allow plenty of time to travel or seek alternative routes with a reduced service on the line throughout December 24.

The walkout on the Underground’s busiest line could cause mayhem for Londoners trying to get home for Christmas or desperately scouring the shops for last-minute presents.

Transport for London said trains would still run every five minutes between Ealing Broadway and Liverpool Street, but warned trains on the West RuislIp branch would be severely effected.

Organised by the RMT union, the strike is in response to the sacking of a driver who was found to have put others at risk after passing a red signal.

As well as a reduced service, there will be no trains at all between White City and West Ruislip.

Peter McNaught, Operations Director for the Central line said: “This dispute concerns the dismissal of a Central line driver for gross misconduct following a serious breach of our safety procedures while operating a train.

“We carried out a full and fair disciplinary process which found that the driver failed to take the appropriate action having passed a red signal, potentially putting the safety of others at risk. We urge the union to withdraw its action and not cause disruption to Londoners.”