The result of a strike ballot of junior doctors in Scotland is to be announced later amid a pay dispute with the Scottish government.

BMA Scotland members were asked to vote on a 72-hour walkout after junior doctors in England walked out for three days in March and four days in April.

The ballot closed at noon, with the result expected later in the afternoon.

If members vote in favour then it would be the first national strike over pay by junior doctors in Scotland.

The union said pay awards for junior doctors in Scotland had delivered real-terms pay cuts of 23.5% since 2008.

It added that, with rises in inflation, this year's 4.5% uplift "is again being outstripped and the position on pay erosion will be worse by the end of the year".

The Scottish government previously said the pay demands were "simply unaffordable" unless cuts were made to the NHS and other public services.

The ballot was open for just over five weeks.

Industrial action could impact planned operations as well GP appointments, as junior doctors make up 44% of the doctors in the NHS in Scotland.

The BMA has asked for a 23.5% increase on top of inflation, arguing that it is needed to make up for 15 years of "pay erosion".

BMA's Scottish junior doctors committee chairman Dr Chris Smith said some junior doctors in Scotland were earning a basic salary that equated to about £14 an hour.

He previously told BBC Scotland that this year's pay uplift of 4.5% was "frankly unacceptable under the current circumstances".

Dr Smith said poor pay was "impacting on the workforce, retention of doctors and therefore the care the NHS can provide".

He warned that some junior doctors were actively looking at exit plans and posts overseas for better pay and conditions.

The Scottish government previously said junior doctors in Scotland have already been awarded a 4.5% pay uplift recommended by the independent Doctors' and Dentists' Pay Review Body.

The government wrote to the body earlier in the year asking for a "separate and specific" recommendation for junior doctor pay.

A Scottish government spokesperson said: "We have entered into discussions with junior doctors to secure a pay award for 2023/24.

"As these negotiations are held in confidence, it would be inappropriate to offer any further details at this time."

• ·At least seven people are dead in an acomponentment fire in Wisconsin as cops launch criminal investigation 
• ·Ukrainian refugee to run guided tours of Liverpool
• ·Battle for the city of Bakhmut intensifies
• ·Sunak urges allies to boost Ukraine support
• ·BREAKING NEWS: LA Lakers FINALLY make a move to get LeBron James consequentlyme help as they 'are in advanced talks on a trade for Wizards forward Rui Hachimura'... with Washington to get 'Kendrick Nunn and multiple second-round picks' in return 
• ·Ukraine athletes' defiant tribute to killed soldier
• ·Call for lights to fall dark in support of Ukraine
• ·Ukraine hit by wave of Iran drones - officials
• ·'All I expect from this administration is another set of lies': Trump and Cruz lead Republicans blasting Biden after DOJ seizes SIX more classified documents from President's Delaware home 
• ·A virtual journey through Ukraine’s bombed cities
• ·Russia has committed crimes against humanity, US says
• ·The US drone crash is a moment fraught with danger
• ·Energy bills: What can I do if I can't afford to pay?
• ·In pictures: President Zelensky visits the UK
• ·Russian army officer: Our troops tortured Ukrainians
• ·The Ukrainian refugees marking Christmas in Belfast