FIREFIGHTERS in Warrington will stage further walk outs this evening over an ongoing dispute with the Government over pension changes.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union will stage a strike at 6.30pm today to 12.30am on New Year’s Day.

Fire Brigades Union general secretary, Matt Wrack, said: “Christmas is just an ordinary working time for firefighters, and our members have been on the front line dealing with storms, floods and other emergencies every day.

“None of us wanted these strikes, but firefighters on duty over the festive period don’t have much to celebrate this year.

“They are being priced out of their pensions and face the sack because the Government can’t accept that 60 year old men and women can’t meet the same fitness standards as 20 year olds.”

Union chiefs have claimed that most firefighters only take home approximately £1,650 a month and already pay £320 or more a month into their pensions.

From April, this would rise for the third year in a row to over £340 a month, with many facing a fourth consecutive rise of 2.2 per cent in 2015.

A further strike across England and Wales is planned at 6.30am and 8.30am on Friday.