A BOURNEMOUTH doctor is reported to have stepped away from a strike picket to help a man who collapsed in the street.

The incident occurred in Southampton city centre, near the Bargate, where junior doctors from the Royal Bournemouth Hospital (RBH) joined those from other trusts this afternoon in a 'Wessex-wide' protest against the Government's planned new contract.

A man is believed to have been taken ill and collapsed near the picket, after which a doctor from RBH stepped in to provide first aid.

He returned to the picket when paramedics arrived to take over, taking the man, who was not in a serious condition, to hospital.

A tweet on the Bournemouth Hospital Twitter page said: "So proud our junior doctor stepped out of the picket line today to help a man collapsed on the street."