None of the 27 fire engines stockpiled at the Territorial Army (TA) base in Croydon ahead of today's strike have remained in place for the industrial action, London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said.

The engines were withdrawn from service and moved to the TA's Mitcham Road headquarters in August in preparation for the walkout, which sees firefighters walk out from 12pm to 4pm in protest over pension changes. 

LFB said the engines, manned by Securitas staff during the strike, had now been moved to "strategic locations" around the capital - but confirmed all 27 have left the Croydon base. 

A spokesman said they were being held at 13 other TA bases across London, but would not specify which ones.

The engines will respond to emergencies but may not attend non-emergency callouts such as rubbish fires, animal rescues and flooding. 

London fire commissioner Ron Dobson said: “We will still attend emergencies but the contingency service is not intended to match the Brigade’s normal day to day cover.

"It is important that people take extra care, have working smoke alarms and take fire safety seriously."

The Fire Brigade Union says the pension changes mean its members will have to work longer, pay more and receive less when they retire.

Do you support the fighterfighters' strike? Click here vote in our poll and post comment below.