Junior doctors in Watford began their second 24-hour strike this morning to protest over pay and conditions.

Around 200 junior doctors from Watford General Hospital joined thousands nationwide who are leaving their posts for 24 hours to protest against government plans to change their contracts.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt says he wants junior doctors’ working patterns to become more flexible in order to deliver the “seven-day NHS” the Conservatives promised in the general election.

Standing on the picket line Matthew Heron said: “Patient safety is the most important thing. I think it’s a real shame that the government is pushing this on us.

“I think we are already over-stretched as it is to provide a decent service.

“They want us to work more hours with less doctors. It’s not safe for either patients or doctors.”

The British Medical Association (BMA) says the Government’s proposals will reduce safeguards on the number of hours junior doctors can work.

Rebecca Morris, one of the doctors on protest, said: “The safety of the patients and doctors is at risk because of what the government are wanting to do.

“The strike is not about us. It is for the future generations of doctors as well.”

The prospect of a new contract in England means the junior doctors will receive an 11 per cent rise in basic pay.

Other elements of the pay package are to be curbed including what constitutes unsociable hours, Junior doctor Abtin Sadeghi said: “It’s down to patient safety. We want to protect them.”

Colleagues and passer-by’s beeped their car horns showing their support for the strike.

Others brought out coffee, biscuits and snacks to show their support.

MP for Watford, Richard Harrington, said: "I have a great of respect for the people who keep our NHS running every day and night and I know our hospital is doing everything it can to mitigate the impact of the strike.

"I firmly believe the contract needs to be renegotiated and a deal has nearly been reached, so the BMA should continue to negotiate, not plan for strikes.

"This offer will increase patient safety and offer junior doctors safer working hours, the majority of whom will receive a pay rise with nobody working legal hours seeing their pay cut.

"The Government is investing an additional £4bn into the NHS next year, but I think these reforms will put the NHS on a good footing for the future and mean that it can be a truly safe and effective service for patients every day of the week."