Pickets were out in force across Shropshire and Mid Wales today on the biggest day of industrial action to hit the country for decades.

More than 160 schools were closed in Shropshire, hospital appointments were cancelled and council services were affected as a result of the strike by public sector workers.

Picket lines were set up at hospitals, schools and council sites across the region as workers braved the cold temperatures to stage protests.

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In Shrewsbury, strikers were in place at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Shirehall and Copthorne Barracks. Maureen Birrell, branch secretary of the Shrewsbury branch of the Public and Commercial Services Union, was outside Copthorne Barracks.

She said the group had been given support by passers-by.

“From the public, the reaction is marvellous – there have been lots of toots and waves,” she said.

“We are striking because the Government wants to raid our pensions. We should be investing in public services to help our economy to grow. Everything we have worked for is under threat.”

A total of six people were on a picket line outside the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital’s employees’ entrance this morning.

Abi Lee, of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, said: “I think today is about showing the strength in feeling from the public sector. We have been having a positive reaction from people passing, supporting us by waving and beeping horns.

“It’s about getting a fair deal in retirement, especially as many physios are left with damaged joints. We worked hard to keep disruption to a minimum.”

In Market Drayton, there were no signs of any picket lines at Shropshire Council’s Raven Houses offices, the Grove School or the JobCentre.

But more than 60 union members were on picket duty outside the gates of RAF Cosford.Robert H O’Harney, Cosford branch secretary of the PCS union, said: “Support has been excellent. It is the best we’ve ever had. I have had more volunteers come forward for picket duty than ever before and most have been here since 6am.

“We have also had lots of support from military personnel at the base because their pensions will be affected as well. Ian Beddow, branch secretary of the Prospect Union, said: “We have had fantastic support. A massive 75 per cent of members nationwide voted for this action and we had a higher proportion here at Cosford with a turnout of 52 per cent.”

Bosses at Shropshire’s orthopaedic hospital said patient care would not be jeopardised by today’s industrial action.

Oswestry Orthopaedic Hospital chiefs said the strike affected staff who were members of Unison, Unite, Chartered Society of Physiotherapists and the Society of Radiographers.

Ruth Tyrrell, associate director of human resources at the Gobowen based hospital, said: “The trust has contingency plans in place to minimise the impact on patients and all unions involved have agreed that patient welfare and safety will not be jeopardised by any industrial action.”

Brett Davis, president of Shropshire and Telford Trades Council, said he expected to be £60-a-month worse off under the Government’s pension changes.

He said the average civil service pension was £5,500. Staff at Harper Adams University College were also on strike today.

Members of the University and College Union were on picket lines from 8am at the college’s main entrance in Edgmond, near Newport. Harper Adams University College UCU chairman, Dr Moira Harris, said: “We are unlikely militants. However, it is not fair for ordinary people to suffer huge cuts in their standards of living for a crisis they did not create.”

Picket lines were also outside Powys County Council’s County Hall in Llandrindod Wells today. John Evans, for the council said the industrial action would result in some disruption to waste and recycling collections: “We ask that households put out their sacks, wheeled bins and recycling containers out as usual, but take in again if any items are not collected.”