A tube strike and the lure of Wimbledon on TV kept hundreds of south Essex commuters at home today.

Huge delays were expected across the London Underground network because of a 24-hour strike by Rail, Maritime and Transport Union members starting at 6.30pm today.

Peter Slattery, chairman of the Rail Travellers' Association, which speaks for Southend, Billericay and Basildon commuters, said: "Judging by the empty spaces in station car parks this morning an awful lot of the people are taking the two days off.

"The biggest problem will be tomorrow morning, when there will be no Tube trains at all."

Published Tuesday June 29, 2004

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