FIREFIGHTERS received a round of applause as they walked out today, Wednesday, at Warrington Fire Station.

Members of the Fire Brigade Union will be on strike from 12 to 4pm across the town and the rest of the country in a national row over pensions.

Union representatives said they felt they had been forced into strike action after the Government failed to enter into talks with them after increasing firefighters’ pension age to 60.

A spokesman added the majority of staff in Warrington, Birchwood and Stockton Heath had walked out.

Cheshire Fire bosses have encouraged residents to 'take extra care' during the strike action. 

A spokesman confirmed there were only five calls across the county during the strike period, all from automatic fire alarms which required no action.

Chief Fire Officer for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Paul Hancock said: “We would like to thank people for taking extra care during the strike and I would also like to thank those staff who ensured that we were able to provide a fire and rescue service to the communities.”