Angry firefighters in England and Wales announced plans yesterday for two fresh strikes after the government back-peddled on a deal over pensions.

Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members will walk out on November 1 from 6.30pm to 11pm and on November 4 from 6am to 8am.

The union said the government and fire employers had failed to offer any firm guarantees on jobs or pensions as a result of changes to the pension age from 55 to 60.