FIREFIGHTERS across the Bradford district are now on strike for 24-hours as a row continues over pension changes which their union describes as “unworkable”.

Industrial action started at 7am and is the first stoppage this year, though there have been 48 previous strike periods in the 18 months the dispute has been running.

The protest is against Government plans to introduce a later pension scheme that would mean firefighters working into older age, prompting concerns over fitness levels.

In West Yorkshire, emergency measures have been put in place using non-striking staff and Community Response Operatives who have been recruited specifically to provide cover.

During previous strikes, there have been around half the normal number of fire trucks available and fire chiefs have asked residents to be especially careful during the dispute.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Dave Walton said: "It is extremely disappointing that we once again find ourselves planning for yet another period of strike action by our firefighters.

"There appears to be no end in sight to this ongoing and damaging dispute. Each time a strike occurs the public are once again placed at risk."