Industrial action by firefighters over pensions and proposals to raise their retirement age from 55 to 60 takes place on Christmas Eve (7pm-12am) and New Year's Eve (6.30pm-12.30am). A further strike will also take place on January 3, from 6.30-8.30am. Pic: Ann MacGillivray

The Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is reassuring the public emergency calls will still be answered and responded to, but that response times will be hit by the strikes.

Assistant Chief Officer Neil Odin said: "We want everyone to have a very merry Christmas and an enjoyable New Year. But we also want both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve to pass safely and for people to remember that there will be fewer firefighters and vehicles available to us during the strike periods."

Links

Firefighters plan fresh strikes in pension dispute – BBC
Fire crews plan more strikes over Christmas – Independent
Fire Brigades Union General Secretary Matt Rack explains firefighters' reasons for striking in a video interview on the FBU website.