FIREFIGHTERS across North Yorkshire took part in the latest in a series of strikes yesterday.

Members of the Fire Brigades’ Union took part in the 24-hour strike over a pensions dispute with the Government, with former firefighters called back to stations to make up numbers during the industrial action.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “Firefighters are asking the Westminster Government to immediately open genuine negotiations to resolve this dispute. They should also hold a House of Commons debate to fully scrutinise the legislation and there should be a parliamentary vote on the regulations.

“We need to be clear. We are not going to give up or go away. Firefighters will fight for however long it takes to secure a fair deal – this dispute will not end as long as the regulations remain unchanged.”

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire Service said: “In the larger towns where there are likely to be fewer fire engines available, we are providing some additional fully trained operational staff to ensure there is cover in place across the area.

“We have also re-employed some operational firefighters, who recently left the Service to reinforce our emergency cover for strike periods. These individuals are in addition to our existing pool of staff who are working during the strikes.”

During the first seven hours of the strike, fire crews managed to assist other services at a number of fires and a road traffic collision, and attended a number of automatic fire alarms.

Action ends at 9am today.