Firefighters have begun another round of strike action although the advice is still for people to call 999 in an emergency.

Crews across the country will strike from now until midnight in a dispute over pensions. Further action is scheduled for New Year’s Eve and Friday, January 3.

Contingency arrangements are in place across Suffolk and Essex for the duration of the strike, as they have been for previous strikes.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue chief fire officer Mark Hardingham said: “As with the previous six strikes we will be implementing our contingency arrangements to deliver a reduced service over the strike periods. Our aim is to continue to protect the people who live, work and visit Suffolk.

“I very much hope that the government and Fire Brigades Union are able to resolve this dispute soon in order that the service can return to business as usual.”