NHS bosses are warning London hospitals are under “extraordinary pressure” due to a “high volume of sick people” as junior doctors began their 26th day of strike action.

Members of the British Medical Association began a 72-hour walkout from 7am on Wednesday in hospitals across England in a bitter dispute over pay.

Hospital bosses in the capital say the strikes came at “the worst possible time” with rising demand for emergency services during the festive period.

More than 1.1 million appointments have already been cancelled in the past year due to industrial action in the NHS.

Junior doctors are demanding a 35 per cent pay rise to correct a real-terms fall in income since 2008.

The BMA announced the strike earlier this month after talks between junior doctors and the Government broke down.

Analysis, plus impact on London A&Es, with Evening Standard health reporter Daniel Keane.

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