Kent firefighters are joining colleagues across the country on the picket lines today for another 24 hour strike.

The walkout started at 7am, and has prompted warnings from Kent Fire and Rescue Service asking people to take extra care due to reduced cover and increased response times.

The fire service says it will continue to answer and deal with 999 calls, and will have crews stationed across the county to provide the best cover possible.

However, bosses warned "it is important to realise that we will not be operating our normal level of service."

KFRS director of operations, Sean Bone-Knell, said: "KFRS is asking you to keep your home or business safe during the strike by taking a few extra safety precautions, however, in the event of a fire the advice remains the same: get out, stay out and call 999, you will get an emergency response."

The action is over the long running pension dispute, prompted by government plans to change firefighters' pension arrangements.

Under the new scheme, firefighters will have to work until they are 60, as opposed to 55, before they can claim their full pension.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “Government ministers have ignored three written requests in the last few weeks by the union to meet to try to resolve this dispute.

“Government ministers are quick to call this union ‘militant’ and yet it’s them who still refuse to talk to us when we remain ready to meet and negotiate at any time."

In addition to the strike in England, firefighters will tomorrow march on Westminster to attend a protest rally.