FIREFIGHTERS walked out on strike again tonight in a disagreement with the Government over pensions.

They walked out between 6pm and 10pm in what was the fifth strike in recent months over the issue and are calling on the Government to sit down to talks.

The disagreement is over plans to increase pension contributions to 14 per cent and raise the retirement age of firefighters to 60.

Brent Thorley, the secretary for the South West branch of the Fire Brigade Union, said: “The turnout tonight has been as strong as it has been in all the other strikes, which shows the level of anger amongst our members.

“All we want is for the Government to sit down and talk with us but the Fire Minister, Brandon Lewis MP has not spoken to us since August.

“We understand what the circumstances are at the minute and a deal has to be made but we just want it to be fair.”

A separate ballot was taken in November, which showed overwhelming support for action short of a strike, which the union says will mean it can carry on making its case without disrupting services to the public.

Another strike has been called for tomorrow, which will again take place between 6pm and 10pm.