JUNIOR doctors in Bradford are hoping the threat of an all-out strike later this month will force the Government back round the talks table.

Picket lines were in force again outside Bradford Royal Infirmary and Airedale General today on the second day of a 48-hour strike

Dr John Morgan, who works at the BRI's Emergency Department, said: "We're still very angry and still very motivated to try to get this resolved. We are hoping the threat of a full all-out walk later later this month will get the Government back round the negotiating table."

NHS England national incident director Dr Anne Rainsberry has apologised to the thousands of people who faced disruption and uncertainty as a result of the ongoing action - the latest action meant the total number of treatments delayed had now hit 24,500 during the dispute.

"Patient safety is always our absolute priority and staff across the country will be doing their utmost to make sure patients can continue to access urgent and emergency services," she said.

Plans are now in place for an all-out stoppages from 8am to 5pm on both April 26 and 27 which will see junior doctors refuse to staff A&E departments as well as emergency surgery and intensive care.

The BMA said it had been left with "no choice" in its fight against the Government's plan to impose a new contract in which, it said, the profession had "no confidence".