Civil servants across Hounslow staged a 24-hour walkout on Wednesday in a dispute over proposed Government job cuts.

Half the staff working at Feltham and Brentford Magistrates' Courts took part in the strike.

They made placards and organised an early picket line outside Feltham Magistrates' Court.

Their protest was part of nationwide action involving around 200,000 members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union which represents workers from more than 200 government departments.

Sheila Clancy, a court usher for the Hounslow courts, said: "We are protesting at the way they are cutting down the civil and public services. One in five jobs are going to go. That is 100,000 jobs. This is not just affecting the magistrates. It's going to affect the public."

A spokesman for the Courts Service said: "A reduced service is being provided at Feltham Magistrates' Court. Two out of four courts are sitting. At Brentford Magistrates' Court where two courts normally sit, there is a much reduced counter service and neither court is sitting."

Hounslow's Jobcentres were also expected to be hit by staff walkouts.

But all local branches were reported to be open as normal on the day.

A spokesperson for the Department of Work and Pensions said: "We have robust contingency plans in place to ensure that our principal priority of making payment to our customers continues, whilst minimising the impact that industrial action may have."