A senior Tory councillor has said he "absolutely supports teachers" as he has "great admiration" for them amid strikes.

Thousands of teachers have walked out across south Essex today in a row over pay and funding.

The strike is being taken by teachers across the country, with thousands also set to walk out the classroom on March 1, 15 and 16.

​And, answering whether he supports teachers going on strike, a senior Tory councillor in Southend has said he supports teachers despite being undecided on whether going on strike was the right thing to do.

As a former school governor, Kevin Buck, Conservative councillor for Prittlewell, says he has great admiration for teachers.

Mr Buck tweeted: "As a former school governor, I absolutely support the teachers. Do I think going on strike was the right thing to do at this stage, I’m still undecided.

"Having seen the high quality of professional work they do, I have great admiration for them."