WORKERS at the borough's hospital trust have returned to the picket lines today, Thursday, in a 48-strike over concerns raised about a new private NHS company.

Hundreds of members of trade union Unison who are employed in roles such as catering, cleaning and portering at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Foundation Trust (WWL) have been making their feelings known about the role of WWL Solutions Limited.

There are fears that staff members' jobs, pay and conditions would be at risk if they outsourced to the private NHS company WWL Solutions Limited.

Members of trade union Unite have also joined Unison in the strike action as well as the Fighting for our NHS group.

Yesterday, Labour Party leader Jeromy Corbyn took to social media to lend his support to the WWL workers on strike.

Leigh MP Jo Platt also tweeted: "Supporting our local NHS cleaners, porters and kitchen staff at WWL today who are striking against privatisation of their services.

"Labour have called a debate in the Commons today to end this type of back door privatisation and keep our NHS in public hands."

WWL has defended the setting of WWL Solutions Limited.

In a previous statement, a spokesman said: “WWL Solutions has been created as a more appropriate alternative to cutting both jobs and services with the company continuing to provide the same services on behalf of the trust and, in doing so, will reduce the overall cost to the trust and avoids privatisation of NHS services.”