FIREFIGHTERS have called on Labour to pledge funding for compensation for those suffering serious work-related illnesses, including cancer, if the party is elected at the next general election.

Fire Brigades Union (FBU) general secretary Matt Wrack accused the Tory government of betraying firefighters by ignoring pleas for compensation.

The union highlighted research at the University of Central Lancashire last year that revealed firefighters suffer instances of cancer up to six times higher than the general population, and higher levels of heart, lung and other ailments.