WIRRAL firefighters begin a 96-hour walkout tonight as part of an on-going national dispute over pensions.

The strike, which starts at 6pm, has been called in response to government plans to make firefighters work up to 60. It ends at 6pm on Tuesday, November 4.

A spokesman for Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service said earlier this week: "The public should be reassured that our staff will maintain a significant emergency response capability during industrial action from October 31 to November 4 and 999 calls will be responded to as normal.

"We will also continue our community fire safety work – recognising the importance of providing fire safety information at such a time.

"As this is over Hallowe’en and leading up to Bonfire Night, we would ask the public to show extra care and vigilance during this period of industrial action."

Negotiations between Fire Brigades Union and Department for Communities and Local Government have been taking place for three years, both the union and government have undertaken work examining financial, technical and legal issues.

Mark Rowe, from Merseyside Fire Brigades' Union told the Globe: "We've been incredibly tolerant in recent months because we have actually suspended strike action so talks can continue.

"In my view, other areas of the United Kingdom have resolved this issue, but we haven't done so in England.

"Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have agreed deals with fire unions.

"If Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can resolve this issue and we can't here, what's going on here.

"I would invite members of the public to speak to the fire fighters during the strike to find out why the walk-out is important.

"I'm still yet to meet anyone who thinks that having firefighters approaching their 60s climbing up to window of a burning building to rescue people is acceptable."