HASLEMERE firefighters went on strike for the third time this month on Wednesday in a dispute over pensions and an extension to the fire service's retirement age.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), including staff at Haslemere Fire Station, walked out between 10am and 2pm, in a bid to force the Government back to the negotiating table.

Fire cover in Surrey was provided by private company Specialist Group International (SGI), whose crews have all completed the full 17-week firefighters training course.

It follows a four and a half hour strike on November 1 and another two hour strike on November 4, with the FBU warning of further strikes ahead unless it sees a shift in government policy.

Richard Jones, secretary of Surrey FBU, said on Wednesday: "There has been massive support for this strike across Surrey and I am not aware of a single whole time pump running this morning.

"Our aim is to get the government back to the negotiating table as the proposed pension scheme is unworkable and unaffordable in its present form, and will leave so many firefighters without pensions.

"We don't want to hurt the public, and the recent strike action has taken place during the day to minimise risk.

"But I anticipate protracted strike action unless the government comes back to the table."

The FBU claims new pension proposals could leave firefighters forced to retire before 60 because of declining fitness or health with pensions of just more than £9,000 a year - a 47 per cent cut.