FIREFIGHTERS have announced more strike action over the Christmas and New Year period.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union from the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service will carry out the industrial action between 7pm and midnight on Christmas Eve, from 6.30pm on New Year’s Eve and 12.30am on New Year’s Day and from 6.30am to 8.30am on Friday, January 3.

Union members will also not be undertaking voluntary overtime from 7pm on Friday, December 27 to 7pm on Sunday, December 29.

Area Commander Jon Pryce, head of operations for the service, said: “While the industrial action is on-going we will still be responding to 999 calls, but we will be asking members of the public to take extra steps to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out in their home.

“We realise that people may be concerned about strike action being called over the Christmas and New Year period and whilst we wouldn’t want to deter festive celebrations we would ask people to take some simple steps to keep themselves and their families safe.”

The fire service will be running reduced fire cover which is likely to provide a basic service and will aim to prioritise the most urgent calls.

The dispute between the union and the government relates to proposed changes to firefighters’ pensions.