Suffolk 'reduced service' during fire strike

Member of the Fire Brigades Union picketed outside the Princes Road fire station in Ipswich

A reduced service will be available in Suffolk during a four-hour strike by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).

Firefighters in England and Wales are due to strike for four hours from noon on Wednesday in a row over pensions.

The FBU said it was "ludicrous" that staff could have to work up to the age of 60 to achieve a full pension.

Suffolk Fire Service said it would operate about 20 out of 35 stations, with emergencies responded to with the nearest available fire engines.

These would be crewed by staff and managers who are not striking, it added.

The FBU had previously said current pension proposals would see firefighters who retire or are forced out of work at 55 losing about 50% of their pensions.

The government said the plans to give firefighters a full pension on retirement at 60 were "robust".