Firefighters will strike for the fifth and sixth times this weekend, between 6pm and 10pm tonight (Friday 13) and Saturday December 14.

Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union General Secretary, said: “It’s now been almost two months since the government has been willing to meet us for negotiations despite several invitations from us.

“Until they do and until they start to actually resolve the dispute, we’ll keep up the pressure for the sake of public safety and our members’ pensions.

“In a week when the full details of a £7,600 pay rise for MPs’ — which will also increase their pensions — emerged, firefighters’ anger at the governments unworkable, unaffordable and unfair proposals will be even greater.

“No firefighter wants to strike, but we cannot allow the government’s ludicrous proposals — and outright hypocrisy — to stand. We’ll keep on fighting until the government sees sense and comes back to negotiations.”

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has asked the public to take extra care during the hours of the strike but to always call 999 in an emergency.