FIREFIGHTERS are to hold their latest series of strikes over pension reforms.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union announced 16 strikes which will take place over eight days between August 9 and 16.

They will strike between 12pm and 2pm and 10:59pm and 11:59pm everyday between August 9 and 16.

It is part of a national dispute over pensions.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has resilience arrangements in place to ensure fire cover is maintained across the county throughout the strike period but has asked the public to play their part in keeping risk to a minimum.