THOUSANDS of junior doctors across England are on strike today after last-ditch talks failed to reach an agreement.

Junior doctors - all medics below consultant level - are providing emergency care only in the 24-hour walkout, which started at 8am.

It is the second strike by the British Medical Association (BMA) in a bitter dispute with the Government over a new contract.

The first strike in January led to thousands of operations, procedures and appointments being cancelled across the NHS. 

Thousands more appointments could be affected.

The major sticking point in the dispute is over weekend pay and whether Saturday should be largely classed as a normal working day.

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