Junior doctors have today begun a 24-hour strike to protest controversial changes to pay and hours in Winchester.

With a picket line of 40 doctors protesting since 8am at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, passing motorists have been 'beeping' their support.

Despite the walk-out, emergency departments are operating as normal.

Junior doctors will only provide emergency care from 8am today until 8am tomorrow morning - followed by a 48-hour stoppage and the provision of emergency care only from 8am next Tuesday [January 26].

On Wednesday, February 10, there will be a full walk-out from 8am to 5pm.

Christina Baker, an obstetrics and gynaecology trainee, has been at the hospital since August and is one of the main coordinators of the strikes in Winchester.

"We wouldn't have gone on strike if patient care was at risk," she said.

"I have organised the picket line here and we have the support from the consultants and even Human Resources.

"We are really happy to show our solidarity."

The strikes were held until 11am in Winchester and the doctors then travelled to West Quay in Southampton to protest with other hospital staff until 2pm.

The walk-outs have taken place due to a breakdown of talks regarding junior doctors' pay and working hours. Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has promised to increase basic pay by 11 per cent, however, this could see many young doctors worse off, according to Christina.

She added: "The 11 per cent basic pay increase is really just a smoke screen. As it only covers basic pay, some doctors whose shifts are more unsociable could see their pay decreased by as much as 40 per cent.

"We have never asked for a pay increase."

Hospital patients Judy Evans, 78, and her husband Martin, 82, are behind the striking doctors.

Judy said: "I completely understand why they are striking. Some of the hours they work are very long and I can only imagine how tiring they can be.

"My husband has arthritis so we come here quite a lot and we see how hard they work.

"I used to be a teacher and I thought that was knackering."

Ex-police officer Martin added: "It is not fair that they're taken advantage of like this. I hope they get the contract they asked for."