CLINICS and planned operations have been cancelled at Merseyside hospitals on Wednesday.

Workers ranging from nurses to porters and administration staff will be out on picket lines across Liverpool.

But health bosses insisted emergency provision will be unaffected, with A&E and intensive care operating normally.

Patients whose appointment were rescheduled have been told.

The majority of schools across Merseyside are set to grind to a halt on Wednesday.

Around 30,000 teachers from across the region are expected to walk out.

The National Union of Teachers and NASUWT will bring an estimated 15,000 Merseyside members, to be joined by the ATL – which represents staff ranging from deputy heads to classroom assistants – and the National Association of Head Teachers.

Merseyside Police will be focusing on their “critical functions” should staff walk out on Wednesday.

Officers are not involved but police staff who do behind-the-scenes jobs are among the public sector workers affected.