A junior doctor from Kent has helped deliver a petition with more than 50,000 signatures to the Health Secretary's office.

Ruth Wood delivered the petition opposing the imposition of a new contract on junior doctors to Mr Hunt's office in Whitehall today.

The group also handed over an 18-metre letter signed by junior doctors.

Over the past three months Miss Wood, from Sevenoaks, and other medical professionals have taken to streets across the country to raise awareness of the contract's terms.

They spoke to members of the public and gained thousands of signatures in support.

The petition asserts that a seven-day NHS is not possible without additional funding and resources, it rejects contract imposition and calls on the Prime Minister, David Cameron, to safeguard the NHS from the changes.

The Government claims the contract will improve patient care at weekends, but junior doctors say it will put patients' safety at risk and will force them to work even longer hours than they already do.

Miss Wood said over the last 3 months, including during the two days of industrial action taken so far, the public have been overwhelmingly supportive.

She added: "At the Sevenoaks event I set up with another local doctor we received fantastic support despite it being a cold afternoon and pouring with rain.

"We were very grateful the public took time to listen to our concerns about the new junior doctor contract."

Medical professionals began campaigning on November 5 when the ballot for industrial action first opened.

The British Medical Association has announced campaigners will go on strike for three further 48-hour periods in an attempt to stop the new contract.

It's thought the BMA will also mount a judicial review over the Health Secretary's plans.

The three strikes are scheduled for Wednesday, March 9, Wednesday, April 6, and Tuesday, April 26.

The latest actions are in response to the decision by Mr Hunt to impose the contracts without the consent of junior doctors.

Dr Amrita Jesurasa, a lead organiser of the campaign said: “The unprecedented strength of feeling regarding the Government’s actions over the junior doctor contract has propelled doctors to take action and speak to the public directly about their very real and justified concerns.

"Any further industrial action by junior doctors is only necessary because of the Government's unwillingness to recognise the dangers that imposing this contract will have on both the future of the medical profession and the NHS in the UK.

"Imposition of the contract must be overturned so that a negotiated resolution which is safe for patients, fair to doctors and sustainable for the NHS can be agreed.”