A late attempt to avert tomorrow's Tube strike failed today when talks between the RMT union and London Underground broke down.

About 7,500 RMT members working on the Underground will now walk off the job tomorrow evening, bringing the network to a near standstill.

RMT members voted earlier this month to go on strike over pay and conditions, with the union demanding a shorter working week and a generous pay increase.

The strike will last for 24 hours starting at 6.30pm tomorrow.

Transport for London (TfL) has offered its workers a 6.5 per cent rise over two years, as well as a 35-hour week, and the mayor has expressed his bafflement over the decision to strike.

It is not known, however, whether Tube workers employed by private Underground infrastructure comanpies (infracos), Metronet and Tube Lines, have access to the same offer.

Last week the RMT cancelled its planned strike on the national railways, after striking a deal over pensions with employer Network Rail.