Around 650 non-urgent clinic appointments and 20 non-urgent surgical procedures were postponed across parts of west London as junior doctors walked out to strike against pay .

NHS workers across west London left hospitals to join picket lines in a 24-hour walkout to show their defiance against Health Minister Jeremy Hunt's latest proposals.

The walkout, which began at 8am, saw doctors joined by medical students, the National Health Choir and politicians including MP for Harrow West Gareth Thomas and leader of the Green Party Natalie Bennett.

The first strike - one of two planned over the next few weeks - comes after talks between the government and the union failed to reach a contract agreement.

The British Medical Association has raised concerns about weekend pay and safeguards to protect doctors from being overworked after refusing Hunt's proposal of an 11% pay increase.

How did the strikes affect your area?

West Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth

Chelsea and Westminster, Royal Brompton and The Royal Marsden hospitals, all in Chelsea

Northwick Park Hospital

Ealing Hospital

'This can't be acceptable'

Mr Hunt said today the strike was "totally unnecessary" and said he did not want to force the contract upon doctors - but did not rule it out.

Mr Hunt added: “We have some disagreements with the BMA over pay but we all want to promise every patient who uses the NHS the promise of the same high quality care every day of the week.

“At the moment we have an NHS where if you have a stroke at weekends you’re 20% more likely to die.

“That can’t be acceptable and the right thing to do is not to strike but actually sit round the table and talk to the government.”

Imperial College medical students Ellis Rae and Stephen Naulls at South Kensington

Chelsea and Westminster Hospitals Trust were amongst the trusts who apologised for disruptions and urged the public that its priority during the strike was emergency care.

In a statement on their website, they wrote: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused due to circumstances outside our control (this is a national strike) and we will be in touch to rebook your appointment as quickly as we can."

The Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust added that they will return to work should a major incident be declared.

“We are able to continue with many of our planned services on this day, though we are cancelling and re-booking some procedures and appointments," they told getwestlondon.

“In the event of a major incident, we have agreed with the BMA that staff taking part in the industrial action will return to work.”

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash also spoke out to pledge transport unions' support for the strikes and said: "RMT members are urged to join the picket lines at their local hospital tomorrow to show solidarity with the junior doctors at this crucial point in their fight for justice."