Firefighters across London will go on strike next week in a row over pensions, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has confirmed.

The strike will last for four hours between 12 noon and 4pm on Wednesday, September 25.

Firefighters in England and Wales are taking part in the strike, but those in Scotland are not taking part in industrial action.

The strike, which is the first national firefighter strike in over a decade, regards a dispute between the FBU and government over reforms to the firefighters pension scheme.

About 80 per cent of firefighters voted in favour of action in a ballot which ran last month.

The union's executive council issued a statement to members claiming it had no option but to strike in England and Wales last Friday.

Last month the London Fire Brigade (LFB) removed appliances from Wandsworth Fire Station and Clapham Fire Station to prepare for the strike.

A total of 27 fire engines have been removed across the capital which will be used to provide cover for London.

London Fire Commissioner, Ron Dobson, said: "It is very unfortunate that we are in another period of industrial action, but we are prepared and our contingency fire service is ready to operate on the strike date which has been announced."