The Times says up to half of doctors in England will be absent during the four days of junior doctors’ strikes next week.

There are concerns that patient safety is at risk and that A&E departments could be overwhelmed.

The four-day walkout will begin on Tuesday after the bank holiday weekend and involve up to half of doctors in England. The British Medical Association said it would call off industrial action if ministers set out a “credible offer” to restore junior doctor pay to 2008 levels, the paper says.