Why are junior doctors striking?

There are more than 50,000 junior doctors in England - a position covering all doctors up to consultant level. They represent a third of the medical workforce.

So what has caused this dispute? The government says it wants better cover at weekends without spending more money. The British Medical Association, the doctors' union, argues that patient safety will be compromised and some doctors will lose out.

(Photo: striking junior doctors. Copyright: EPA.)