UNION leaders in Lancashire believe that support for striking firefighters within the service is only strengthening after their latest walkout yesterday.

County firefighters joined colleagues across the UK as part of a national walkout organised by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), prompted by a long-running dispute over pension rights.

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Steve Harman, FBU secretary for Lancashire, insists he has had no guarantee from Lancashire Fire Authority or the county fire and rescue service that firefighters who retire on health grounds before the age of 60 will receive a full pension.

“They have said that they will endeavour to do so but they have not been able to give a guarantee,” said Mr Harman.

And union members are worried, with the service facing cuts of £6.7million, that any such financial commitment would be difficult to maintain.

“We have lost 35 per cent of our numbers in recent years, which is around 350 posts. We are down to 650 and most of our members are working 84-hour weeks under the day crewing and day crewing plus systems,” added Mr Harman.

County fire chiefs urged the public to be extra-vigilant during the strike, which finished at 7am today, but are remaining neutral over the pension issue.

Chris Kenny, the county’s chief fire officer, said: “This is a dispute between the FBU and Government and is not a dispute between Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and our firefighters.”

He said a “significant number” of Lancashire staff had pledged to maintain emergency cover during the dispute.

A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman said: “All fire and rescue authorities have robust and well-tested strike contingency plans in place that include back-up support if needed.

“Strike action is unnecessary and appears to be over a point which is an improvement on a 2006 scheme which required firefighters to work to 60 with no protection.

“We have been clear that firefighters get an unreduced pension or a job and have changed the national framework through a statutory instrument to do so. If fire authorities do not produce processes which yield this, the Secretary of State has said he will intervene.”