NHS staff at Watford General Hospital have started industrial action in protest to the government's "attack on pay".

Midwives and maternity staff have formed a picket line outside the hospital on Vicarage Road with signs and banners asking for "fair pay".

The NHS workers, with Unison, are taking action over the government’s decision not to implement the Independent Pay Review Body’s pay increase.

The union has voted on a four-hour strike from 7am until 11am today.

And from tomorrow to Friday, October 17, members will be taking action short of strike action by working to rule and taking their contractual and statutory breaks.

One Watford midwife in the picket line said: "This is the first time midwifes have gone on strike. It's all because our one percent pay rise has been taken away.

"They are attacking our pay again. All we want is fair pay."

The trust in charge of Watford General, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, has said it's services will not be affected by the industrial action.