FIREFIGHTERS have returned to work today after a four-day strike over pensions.

The strike began at 6pm on Friday night and, after 96 hours, the industrial action finally came to a close at 6pm last night, Tuesday.

Members of the Gloucestershire branch of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) set up picket lines across the county in places including Stroud Fire Station in Paganhill Lane on both Friday night and Monday morning.

This marked the latest of strikes held this year in an ongoing dispute over pensions between the unions and the government.

According to the FBU’s Gloucestershire branch secretary, Mike Tully, the dispute has now moved in to the political sphere.

"There doesn't seem to be any other reason why the Government has walked away from yet another deal between themselves and the FBU.

"Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all managed to come to an agreement, it's just England that has failed to make a compromise and the reason behind that is Westminster."

In the last year Gloucestershire firefighters have been incolved in almost a dozen national strikes.

Throughout the most recent strike action, Gloucestershire County Council ensured contingency plans were in place.