Up to half a million British teachers, civil servants, train drivers and university lecturers walked out over pay and conditions on Wednesday in the largest coordinated strike action in Britain in a generation, causing widespread disruption.

The mass walkouts across the country shut schools, halted most rail services, and the military was put on standby to help with border checks.
 
About 3,00,000 teachers are expected to strike on Wednesday, the biggest group involved, as part of wider action by 5,00,000 people, the highest number for at least a decade.