An NHS trust is "treating patients as normal" despite strike action.

Strike action due to a row over pay is currently taking place until 11am this morning at King George hospital in Goodmayes and Queen's hospital in Romford.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University NHS trust (BHRUT) who run the hospitals, said plans were in place despite the disruption.

A spokesman said: "We have tried and tested plans in place to deal with a range of disruptions, including industrial action, and to ensure the safety and welfare of our patients.

"Please attend for your booked appointments on Monday morning. We will be treating all patients as usual, but apologise for any unavoidable delays."

Cllr Wes Streeting, deputy leader of Redbridge council and cabinet member of health, backed the strikes.

He said: "This is the first time that the Royal College of Midwives has gone on strike and the first strike by NHS staff over pay in 30 years.

"We have real challenges in terms of recruitment and retention of key NHS staff, which is fuelling the NHS crisis, and it's not hard to see why.

"The government found the money for tax cuts for the wealthiest, but can't find money to pay nurses and midwives fairly. They're standing up for the wrong people."