London commuters face two days of chaos after a walk-out by staff brought the Tube to a standstill.

Leaders of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union met London Underground managers, but last-gasp talks to try to resolve the row broke down.

Union members walked out at 7pm on Tuesday, starting a stoppage which is due to last for 48 hours, causing huge problems for millions of commuters and visitors.

The strike over pay, jobs and disciplinary issues, including the sacking of two drivers, is expected to cost businesses tens of millions of pounds.

RMT leader Bob Crow said: "RMT negotiators spent all afternoon and early evening at Acas putting together a deal which could have settled the dispute, only for London Underground to bring in lawyers at the last minute, who pulled the rug from under a workable agreement."

London mayor Boris Johnson said the strike was "unnecessary and misery-making" for travellers and urged the union to return to the negotiations.

"The two sides are extremely close - it is essential that people of goodwill get around the negotiating table."

Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy accused the union of walking out of the talks and urged RMT leaders to return to conciliation service Acas.

Transport for London urged people to check before they travel, to stagger their journeys and to consider alternative ways of getting to work such as walking and cycling.

Mr Hendy said a massive effort was being made to help people to get round the capital, including boosting bus and river services, providing escorted commuter cycle rides and more central London cycle parking and distribution of thousands of walking maps at rail and Tube stations.

England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra will go ahead at 8.15pm despite fears that many of the 70,000 fans who have bought tickets will not be able to get to Wembley Stadium in northwest London on time.

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