Firefighters will stage two fresh strikes as part of their ongoing battle with the Government over pensions.

The first stoppage will be held on June 12, when firefighters will walk out for 24 hours, and the second on June 21, which will last seven hours.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) in England and Wales are protesting against changes to firefighters' pensions and a later retirement age.

The 24-hour strike will be the longest in the three-year campaign.

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: “Firefighters simply will not give up fighting for their futures and our fire and rescue service.

“The only way for us to resolve this unnecessary and costly dispute is for the Government to start listening to reason.”

In the time between the two strikes, firefighters will not carry out any voluntary overtime, which is routinely needed to maintain fire cover.