The national strike by members of the Public and Commercial Services Union began yesterday.

Courts, driving test centres, tax offices and jobcentres in Sunderland and across the UK were hit as part of the industrial action.

Picket lines formed at Sunderland Jobcentre and the Riverside House Revenue and Customs call centre.

Sunderland Magistrates' Court ran just three of six courts yesterday and two criminal courts and one family court today.

Houghton Magistrates' Court was closed by the disruption.

The Echo understands that minimal disruption was caused at magistrates' courts in Peterlee and Consett, with two of its 20 legal advisers taking part in the strike.

Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) officers were also on strike, closing regional bases.

The walkout also led to 2,000 driving tests being cancelled around the country.

The second day of the strike was due to end today with a march and rally in central London.

The dispute comes over changes to the Civil Service compensation scheme, which unions say will rob staff of tens of thousands of pounds if they are forced out of a job.

Commenting on the court closures, a spokeswoman for Her Majesty's Court Service (HMCS) said: "No courts are closed as a result of industrial action.

"The majority of courts are sitting as planned and services are being maintained."

She added that Houghton Magistrates' Court would not normally have been open as it operates as a satellite court.