More than 100 parents and carers learnt life-saving techniques from striking junior doctors.

Last week’s strikes lasted two days and saw staff leave services like accident and emergency and maternity for the first time.

But some doctors gave parents training for dealing with medical emergencies involving children, including chocking and how to spot sepsis.

Paediatricians, medics, anaesthetists and a surgeon trained in providing and teaching advanced paediatric life support, were among the two teams who ran the #LittleLifeSavers sessions at St Paul’s Church in Blandford Road, St Albans and St Peter Church of England School last Tuesday and Wednesday.

Junior doctor Emilie Hoogenboom said: “As medics we are used to being kept busy and would rather be at work than taking industrial action.

“We have joined our colleagues on the picket lines this morning and now we are here to turn something positive out of the frustration that we feel because of the imposition of an unfair and discriminatory contract.”