PICKET lines have been mounted outside schools, government buildings, jobcentres and courts by striking public sector workers in the biggest outbreak of industrial unrest since the coalition was formed.

Union leaders said early indications were that the 24-hour walkout was being strongly supported, forcing the closure of thousands of schools, courts and offices and disrupting government services and travel.

Members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), University and College Union and the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) went on strike in a bitter row over plans to increase their pension contributions and raise the retirement age.

In Wirral, 59 primary schools are closed along with eight secondary and 11 special schools.

Birkenhead Sixth Form College will be closed for the day.

Wirral Met remains open, although a spokeswoman said there would be some disruption to lectures.

Hundreds of people are gathering for a march through Birkenhead this morning in what unions describe as a bid to protect education and public services.

Protestors are meeting at 10am inside the gates of Birkenhead Park at the Conway Street entrance and will march to JobCentrePlus in nearby Price Street for a rally.

Wirral TUC leader Alec McFadden said: “This march is very important and we are expecting a high turnout.

The people who have caused this are the Government and the bankers.

"The Government is cutting wages and jobs. It’s an absolute disaster."

For a full list of local school closures click the link below.