UNION chiefs were in talks with the Health Secretary on Wednesday in a bid to avert a strike by health workers next Thursday.

Picket lines have been agreed and materials ordered as union members prepare to walk out over pay.

Joanne Kaye, UNISON South West regional secretary, said the sticking point is the Government’ s refusal to agree a 1% pa y award recommended by the independent NHS Pa y Review Body.

Union bosses met Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt on Tuesda y before further talks yesterday. A Health Department spokes-man said Government proposals which would guarantee all staff a t least a 1% pa y rise this year and next had been rejected by the unions.”