by Nisha Chopra

Doctors across the country are due to go on strike today - but many in Kent are refusing to walk out.

Up to 100,000 doctors across Britain could be taking part in industrial action in a row over their pensions and retirement age.

The strike is organised by the British Medical Association, which represents 70% of doctors, but members do not have to take part.

More than one million hospital appointments have been cancelled, but many GPs in Kent have decided not to abandon their posts because of pre-booked or emergency appointments.

One of them is Dr David Chesover, from Thornhill Medical Practice in Larkfield. However, he said he is striking "at heart".

Dr Chesover said: "I agree with the strike, but it's very difficult for GPs to strike as we have patients already booked in and here we have cancer surgery - we don't feel its right to cancel those things.

"I don't think there'll be a huge amount of change in general practise, but we'll explain the problem GPs are having, particularly for young GPs and particularly in the south east.

"My pension contributions will be 30% of my gross income. Our pensions aren't bad, but for young GPs there's a huge problem.

"They're coming out of medical school with huge debts - unusually around £50,000 to £60,000 and in a number of cases in the south east they're not being able to get mortgages - so many are not coming here to live and work."

Dr Christopher Cranston, a GP at at Bearsted Medical Practice, said: "We all have sympathy with our colleagues, we all agree with what the BMA is trying to achieve.

"But I think locally we were worried about compromising patient care and safety, so we decided not to take industrial action.

"It seems for the government to renege on that deal and not enter into any discussion with doctors in any way would appear wrong.

"GPs are a bit of an easy target for the government - there's always a moral argument about us withdrawing services."