HUNDREDS of public sector workers joined rallies today as part of the largest strike in Buckinghamshire for generations.

About 150 workers marched from Wycombe Hospital to Easton Street this afternoon to protest about the government's pension reforms – while union reps said another 500 joined a rally in Aylesbury.

Lining up behind a piper and a banner saying 'Tax the bankers not the council workers', the peaceful march in High Wycombe provoked a mixed reaction from shoppers.

Some voiced their disapproval, while others applauded, though most onlookers simply looked on blankly.

The strike action forced at least partial closures at more than 100 schools in the county, while some hospital appointments had to be rearranged.

Kristi Blick, 31, a teacher from Chesham, said the reforms mean she will have to pay about £140 extra into her pension pot each month and work three years longer (to age 68) before she can claim it.

Then, on retirement she will get about £3,000 less in yearly payments.

Another teacher, Sheereen Hassan, 53, from High Wycombe, said: “We are here reluctantly, we don't want to be out on strike but we don't feel we are being listened to.”

Maria Nicholson, a former NHS nurse from High Wycombe, was not on strike but joined in with the rally.

She took a job in the private sector in March, partly due to the pension reforms.

She said: “While you're still there in the pension scheme they can change it at any time. It's a saving grace for people working in the public services but there's a lot of feeling amongst nurses about whether to stay in it.”

Ian Fraser, 59, a teacher from Marlow, said: “The changes won't affect me personally because I retire in two weeks. But I'm here for younger colleagues, it doesn't seem to be a fair deal.”

The strike has brought anger in some quarters, from parents who had to arrange childcare due to school closures, to patients who had hospital appointments cancelled.

Steve Bell, secretary for Bucks Unison Health branch, said: "If you believe what you read in the national press and the government I'm not surprised people are angry - they think we are on gold-plated pensions.

"I've been out talking to people and once the situation has been explained they are sympathetic."

Rob Purbrick, 48, from Amersham, walked past the rally at Wycombe Hospital and said: “It's a balance really. When you take a job in the public sector there is a liability that things will happen outside your control.

“I was in the private sector and just lost my job, and I don't have a pension.”

At Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Cameron said he thought the government had made a “very reasonable, very fair offer to public sector workers”.