Kent firefighters start another 24-hour strike today as the government takes the first steps to implement unpopular pension arrangements.

The strike starts at 9am and will see a walk out by Fire Brigade Union members. As in previous strikes cover will be provided by firefighters who have decided not to man the picket lines.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service has asked people to take extra care due to the reduced level of service.

The strike has been prompted by government plans to alter firefighters' pension arrangements.

"Firefighters will fight for however long it takes to secure a fair pensions deal – this dispute will not end as long as the regulations remain unchanged" - Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary

Under the new scheme, firefighters will have to work until they are 60, as opposed to 55, before they can claim their full pension.

They will be subject to fitness tests regardless of age, and failing a test would mean they are made redundant and offered a reduced pension.

The Fire Brigades Union said in a statement:"After almost three years of discussions firefighters still face a stark choice of either being sacked or a severely reduced pension if they fail fitness tests as a result of naturally declining fitness through age."

The union wants further negotiation with the government over the plans and has promised to keep fighting the changes.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “We need to be clear. We are not going to give up or go away. Firefighters will fight for however long it takes to secure a fair pensions deal – this dispute will not end as long as the regulations remain unchanged.”

About 240 opposition MPs - and nine Liberal Democrats - have signed an Early Day Motion opposing the regulations.

Firefighters in other parts of the UK are not striking after their national assemblies made changes to the plans or agreed to return to the negotiating table.

Mr Wrack said: “It is sickening that the only part of the UK where the fire minister refuses to engage in genuine negotiations is England. We cannot accept that firefighters in England will be penalised simply because the Westminster government refuses to consider the evidence or even read its own reports on the risks to firefighter fitness related to aging.

"We have won the argument on this issue for the past three years. We face a government which refuses to negotiate or even to listen to reason. Therefore this fight will carry on.”