Planned surgeries will not go ahead during tomorrow's (Tuesday) planned junior doctors' strike.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW), which runs hospitals in both towns, said it has moved 17 appointments falling during the strike action.

A trust spokesman said: “We would like to assure our patients that we will continue to provide our high standards of care in all circumstances throughout this period.

"The safety and care of patients is our top priority and therefore we have re-arranged a small number of planned procedures which would have been due to take place on 12 January.”

Members of the British Medical Association (BMA) will be supporting picketers outside Maidstone Hospital in Hermitage Lane and Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Tonbridge Road.

There will be three periods of strike action. The first will be tomorrow from 8am to until 8pm the following day with only emergency care provided.

A second, 48 hour strike comes into force from January 26, followed by a full withdrawal of labour, including emergency care, on February 10.

Junior doctors voted overwhelmingly for strike action in response to a new contract proposed by the government, which makes changes to pay and working hours.

Last week MTW issued a stark warning after a surge in patient numbers led to long delay in A&E. Demand has not yet fallen as the trust continues to feel the pressure as temperature plummet.

Have you been affected by the strike action? Contact on the KM on 01622 695666 or email messengernews@thekmgroup.co.uk.