Picket lines have been set up across Medway this morning as public sector workers protest over plans to change their pensions.

The mass walkout is part of a national day of action - expected to be one of the largest and most widespread strikes ever seen in the UK.

The main demo is taking place outside Medway Council's offices at Gun Wharf in Chatham from 7.30am.

Trade union members will then march through Chatham town centre and join a rally at The Command House pub, in Dock Road, from 12.30pm.

Workers will also be demonstrating outside Medway Maritime Hospital from midday.

Thousands of parents have been affected, with dozens of schools shut or partially closed.

Care homes, libraries and council offices in Medway have also been hit.

Chatham, Gillingham, Twydall, Walderslade Hook Meadow and Walderslade Village libraries will all be closed. Wigmore, Thomas Aveling, Luton, Rochester and Strood libraries will remain open and the mobile library will run as normal.

The strike has been organised to oppose changes to pensions. The government wants public services workers to pay 9% of their wages towards their pension. At the moment, they contribute 6%.

Tania Earnshaw, branch secretary of Unison trade union, said: "We hope the public will understand our members do not go on strike at the drop of a hat - they are extremely upset. There are no tangible offers on the table. The government is not willing to negotiate.

"A lot of members cannot afford another £50 a month on their pensions. The average pension for a woman in the public sector is £2,800 a year and £4,000 for a man. That is hardly the gold-plated pension the coalition government keeps telling people about."