FIREFIGHTERS will walk out on New Year’s Eve in a bitter row over pensions.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union in England and Wales will strike for six hours from 6.30pm tomorrow, December 31, followed by a further stoppage on January 3.

The action is in protest at changes to pensions and retirement ages, which the FBU warned threatened firefighters in their late 50s with being sacked.

The two hour strike from 6.30am on January 3 will be the ninth round of industrial action taken by the FBU since the row flared.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: "Firefighters provide a first class standard of service, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and these strikes will remind Government just how reliant they are on our members' professionalism, commitment and flexibility."

A spokesman for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: "The public should be reassured that our staff will maintain a significant emergency response capability as usual over the Christmas and New Year period.

"We will also continue our community fire safety work – recognising the importance of providing fire safety information at such a time."

Members of the FBU walked out for five hours on Christmas Eve, with no incidents reported.

The Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokesman added: "During any industrial action we always ask the public to show extra care and vigilance."