HEALTH workers have picketed this morning in protest over a Government decision not to give them a recommended one per cent pay rise.

Staff across the NHS - including nurses, midwives, cleaners, porters and ambulance crews - walked out on strike between 7am and 11am.

More than 50 people working for York Teaching Hospital NHS Trust picketed York Hospital in Wigginton Road, with others choosing to stay at home, however they stated that had there been an emergency and their help was needed they would have returned to work.

Michelle Hartlett, branch secretary for Unite, said: "I'm really, really proud of turn out and the support we have had, we have been getting lots of support and beeps from the public.

"Many workers now have a low standard of living, they are struggling to pay bills. All we are asking for is one per cent.

"We love the NHS, it's our passion and we want to continue to support the public.

"They want more from us but won't give us what we deserve."

Staff across the NHS who have been involved in today's strike will now continue action short of strike - they will be taking the breaks they are entitled to and leaving on time without doing overtime.

York Hospital Trust said any disruption related mainly to routine ante-natal and post-natal appointments and to patients who use patient transport services but essential services were unaffected.