People are being urged to be extra vigilant during the firefighters’ four day strike in Shropshire which starts at 6pm on Friday.(October 31)

The Fire Brigade Union (FBU) is involved in a protracted dispute over plans to make firefighters’ work until they are 60 instead of 55, pay more into their pensions and get less in retirement.

Telford and Shrewsbury will be affected as members of the FBU are called to take strike action from Friday evening until Tuesday at 6pm with a scheduled return to work in time for bonfire night.

A unique service giving practical and emotional help to people suffering from the trauma of a house fire, flood or other serious emergency has made a "huge difference" to people's lives since it was launched in Shropshire.

The Red Cross fire and emergency support (FES) service has been called to more than 50 incidents helping scores of people at all times of day and night since it was set up a year ago with the support of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The Fire Brigade’s Union will be taking a series of strikes over eight days from Saturday August 9 until Saturday August 16.

There will be two periods of strikes on each of the eight days with the first period between 12pm and 2pm and the second between 11pm and midnight each day. The strikes are in support of the FBU’s ongoing campaign against changes to pensions proposed by the Department of Communities and Local Government.