A man has been detained after screaming at striking journalists on a picket line.

Police were called to the incident at the picket, held outside the offices of the Manchester Evening News, yesterdaymorning.

National Union of Journalists members at the MEN joined fellow Reach editorial colleagues in walking out for the first of a planned four days of strike action in a pay dispute.

But the picket outside the MEN’s building in Chadderton, Oldham, was disturbed by the man, who shouted at those involved.

Footage of the incident appeared online

According to Newsquest’s Oldham Times, the striking journalists “were said to be ‘stunned’ at the development”.

Greater Manchester Police told the Times the man was taken to hospital for mental health reasons.

Posting on Twitter, the MEN chapel of the NUJ wrote: “Thanks to GMP for supporting us with some difficulties on the picket this morning. We stand strong.”

According to the NUJ, an estimated 1,150 members working for Reach titles have joined the action across the country.

It comes after the union previously rejected a salary increase of 3pc or £750, whichever is more, from Reach on the grounds that such a raise would not be enough to help journalists to deal with the cost-of-living crisis.

Two subsequent rounds of talks conducted through the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, one of which led to the postponement of a planned strike on Friday, have failed to produce a settlement.