A total of 22 schools in Epsom and Ewell were closed or partially closed on Wednesday following the biggest public sector strike in a generation.

The figure represented 92 per cent of the borough's schools and many parents were forced to take time off to look after their children.

Just two school out of 24 in Epsom and Ewell remained open - Wallace Fields Infants and St Martin's Infants Across Surrey a total of 247 schools (66 per cent) out of 375 closed or partially closed on a day where two million public sector workers walked out across the country in a row over pension funds disrupting schools, council offices and hospitals.

Thirty public sector unions, including the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) and Unison led picket lines across the county before joining together for a mass rally in Leatherhead.

Marianne Dark, East Surrey NUT representative, said: “Obviously people are angry enough to come out and strike.

“But it has been a very good, enthusiastic atmosphere and we have had lots of support from the police and others who are not striking but sympathise with what we are fighting for.”

A total of 14 day case operations were cancelled at Sutton Hospital due to the strike however services at Epsom Hospital remained largely unaffected.

Paul Worsfolv, Unison representative at Epsom Hospital, said: “I think the strike will highlight exactly what people think of the government’s actions.

“It’s a shame that it has to come to strike action to try and make the people in power realise the severity of their cuts and their actions.”

A picket line also formed at Epsom Town Hall where a number of Unison members work.

Unison representative, Serena Powis, said: “We were given a pay cap yesterday and we have to pay 15 per cent more towards our pensions.

“We pay more, we have to work longer and we will get less. This is the last resort."