FIREFIGHTERS in England and Wales are to stage a fresh strike in their bitter row with the Government over pensions.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union will walk out for five hours from 6.30pm next Saturday following a stoppage last month.

Union general secretary Matt Wrack said: "We had hoped our first strike was enough to show Government that firefighters could not be more serious about protecting public safety and ensuring fair pensions.

"No firefighter wants to strike, and it's desperately disappointing that governments in Westminster and Cardiff continue to deny reality over pension costs and the need for a pension scheme that reflects the job firefighters do. Firefighters simply cannot be expected to fight fires and rescue families in their late 50s and into their 60s."

Strike action was rejected by members in Scotland.