Members of Unison gathered near to the steps of Uxbridge Civic Centre this morning (Thursday, July 10) as part of a nationwide strike over pensions and pay.

Other trade unions joining the walk-out today across the country include GMB, Unite, National Union of Teachers and the Fire Brigade Union.

But a Hillingdon Council spokesperson said:  "As predicted yesterday, the strike action today has impacted little, with nearly 97 per cent of staff at work continuing to provide vital services.

"All our libraries are open as usual and refuse and recycling has not been affected. Of a total of 104 council-run services, 100 are reporting business as usual, with disruption kept to a minimum in others."

Across the borough, four schools closed today as a result of the teachers strike and nine schools were partially open - with certain year groups being told to study from home.

A total of 35 schools were still not known about but thirteen had remained open and unaffected by the NUT protest.

Parents of schools forced to close or partially close had been notified in advance of the action.