Artists have created a “touching” tribute to striking junior doctors at their picket line.

Walthamstow artist, Esther Neslen, surprised medics outside Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone today (April 26) with an exhibition of images and supporting words.

More than 50 junior staff at the hospital have left their posts as they take part in the first all-out strike in NHS history.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt appealed directly to medics on Monday (April 25) not to withdraw emergency cover, which he said had particular risks for A&E departments, maternity and intensive care.

He added the Government would not be "blackmailed" into dropping its manifesto pledge for a seven-day health service.

The impasse between the Government and the British Medical Association (BMA) prompted the industrial action, from 8am to 5pm on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.

Ms Neslen said: “We knew the full walkout from emergency cover would create adverse media attention so it was especially important for us artists to show our support.

“A lot of businesses in the area are showing support with cards in their workplaces.

“But artists just have their studios so we had to come up with a creative way to show junior doctors at Whipps Cross Hospital our deserving support.”

The junior doctors are leaving their picket line later to join a march to the Department of Health in Westminster from St Thomas’ Hospital at 5pm.

BMA committee member and junior doctor, Dr Niki Fitzgerald, said: “Having the cars go beeping past is amazing, it gives you so much heart because it has been really difficult to take this next step to withdraw emergency care as well.

“When Esther came down with these beautiful pictures it was so touching to see how much the strike means to the artists.

“These artists are often low paid so they rely heavily on the NHS.

“They simply couldn’t manage as most people couldn’t with a private health care system.

“It’s a really lovely visual way to show the people’s support for us.

“It’s brightening up our picket line and it will brighten up our staff room too.”

It is the first time services such as A&E, maternity and intensive care have been affected during the dispute over a new contract.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Hunt accused union leaders of trying to "blackmail" the Government with strike action.

He said he could only call a halt to the action "by abandoning a manifesto promise that the British people voted on" at last year's general election.

The Health Secretary said: "It was the first page of our manifesto that we'd have a seven-day NHS.

"I don't think any union has the right to blackmail the Government, to force the Government to abandon a manifesto promise that the British people have voted on."

Junior doctors will picket outside Whipps Cross again from 8am tomorrow (April 27) and later join medics from four other east London hospitals at Stratford Station for a Meet the Doctors event from 2.30pm.