REVELLERS are urged to take extra care during a firefighters’ strike on New Year’s Eve.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) will take the industrial action from 6.30pm on New Year’s Eve until 12.30am on New Year’s Day.

The walk-out is part of an ongoing national dispute between the union and the Government over changes to firefighters’ pensions.

Fire chiefs are asking motorists to slow down, would-be chefs to keep a close eye on the cooking and partygoers to stay in control.

Stuart Errington, deputy chief fire officer for Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We want everyone to have a happy New Year so it’s worth taking extra care and thinking about what you would do to protect yourself and your loved ones in the event of a fire.”

The strike will be the eighth since September. A ninth is planned for Friday, January 3, from 6.30am to 8.30am.