AMBULANCE staff will strike this weekend in a long-running dispute with employer North West Ambulance Service.

North West Ambulance Trust said it had been informed the action will “take the form of a full withdrawal of services by GMB union paramedics for day shifts starting between 0600 and 0800”.

Paramedics who are not members of GMB and emergency medical technicians will be working as normal.

Lisa Ward, interim director of organisational development for NWAS, said: “The trust is extremely disappointed with this fourth day of action and is frustrated with the reluctance of GMB to discuss any movement from their current position.

“This is despite the positive discussions which have enabled us to reach an agreement on this matter with our other partner trade unions UNISON and Unite, who represent the majority of our staff.

“We have now also received formal notification that this action will occur every weekend from 21 July until October.”

She added: “I am in no doubt that their actions will affect patients although we will be doing all we can to minimise any impact on the public.

“It is fair to say that the action so far has had little impact on our ability to respond to patients, however, this extended period of action is highly likely to cause some delays, particularly to the less urgent calls."