THOUSANDS of hospital staff across Northern Ireland have taken to the picket line in a four-hour protest over pay.

Members of the Unite and GMB unions began their action at 8.00 am this morning. They will return to work at 12.00 noon.

Paramedics and midwives are among those taking part in the strike.

Unions say emergency services would not be affected.

Unions want a recommended one per cent pay rise to be implemented for all staff, but the National Health Service said this would cost too much.