The BMA has been consulting resident doctors on whether or not to press ahead with a five-day walkout, which is due to start on Wednesday 17 December.

The union last week put an improved offer from the Government to its members. The offer, which includes important legislative changes to give priority to UK-trained doctors applying for training posts and repurposes 4,000 existing roles as training posts, does not include any offer on pay.

The ballot results are expected later today.