HEALTH secretary Jeremy Hunt has appealed to junior doctors not to withdraw emergency cover during their strike but said "no trade union" has the right to veto a Government manifesto commitment.

In a clear sign that he will not back down just hours before an all-out strike by medics across England, he said changes were needed to create safer services at weekends.

Referring to the British Medical Association (BMA), he said "no trade union has the right to veto" a manifesto commitment made by the Government to improve weekend services.

In a statement to MPs, he said the disruption over the next two days was "unprecedented" but the NHS has made "exhaustive efforts" to ensure patient safety.

Mr Hunt added that there were plans in place to provide safe care, particular in maternity, A&E and crisis mental health services.

It comes ahead of planned strike action from junior doctors across the country from 8am tomorrow.

Senior medics had earlier issued an "11th hour" plea to David Cameron to intervene in the junior doctors dispute because it is a "threat to our whole healthcare system".

Fourteen royal colleges have written to the Prime Minister asking him to help broker talks between the two sides in an attempt to halt the first all-out strike amid a long-running row over a new contract.

The industrial action will see junior doctors in England refusing A&E care for the first time between 8am and 5pm on Tuesday and Wednesday in a move Mr Hunt said put "lives at risk".

Doctors are striking over changes to their contract which are due to be imposed this summer.

We'll be bringing you the latest on the strike from tomorrow morning.

Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton has issued advice to patients ahead of the strike.

You can read it here.