AMBULANCE workers are due to strike today over a long-running row over shifts and working hours.

Unite members at the Yorkshire Ambulance Trust will walk out for five hours from 3pm today.
Members also plan to strike during the same times on Saturday and March 31.

The union said proposed longer shift patterns could lead to staff working for up to 10 hours without a meal break and could affect patient safety.

Regional officer Terry Cunliffe said: ''Our members have shown amazing solidarity over the last year despite the hard line that an obstinate and blinkered management has continued to take.

''Our members don't take strike action lightly - it has been a last resort - but they feel there are important issues at stake here involving patient and staff safety.''

Unite has 375 members involved in the row, which has already led to several strikes since last year

The trust said: ''We will continue to make every effort to get to patients as quickly as possible, whilst maintaining high standards of patient care.''