Firefighters are set to strike for a fourth time after a continued dispute over pensions.

The Government want to raise the retirement age from 55 to 60 at which point firefighters would have to pass a fitness test.

But the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) have said the changes ignore the physical demands of the occupation with evidence suggesting at least two thirds of the current workforce would be unable to maintain the fitness standards required by the fire service beyond the age of 55.

Mick Hickson from Croydon fire station explains why his union are going on strike during industrial action last month

Those fire fighters, the FBU have said, would face being dismissed or seeing their pension reduced by almost half.

Fire fighters will strike again on Wednesday, November 13, between 10 and 2pm.

Matt Wrack, the Fire Brigades Union general secretary said: "After 35 years of service - and paying at least £4,000 a year - fire fighters could now receive just over £9,000 a year or the sack simply because fitness declines as they get older.

"Fire fighters simply want an affordable and workable pension that reflects the job we do.

"But with employee costs going up, fire fighters are being priced out making the scheme threatening its sustainability.

"We’re keen to resolve this through negotiations, but the government is simply ignoring all the evidence we have submitted."

As in previous strikes, London Fire Brigade (LFB) will have 27 engines based at strategic locations and contingency crews to deal with emergencies across London during the four hour strike.

A spokesperson for the LFB said: "During the strike and if needed fire engines will attend emergencies including fires in people’s homes, vehicle fires, road accidents and collapsed buildings.

"The contingency plans are not intended to match the brigade’s day-to-day cover so while strike action is taking place a fire engine may not be sent to less urgent and non-life-threatening incidents."