FIRE chiefs are warning residents to take extra care during their Christmas and New Year celebrations as firefighters walk out on strike.

The next round of industrial action will take place between 7pm and 12am on Christmas Eve and 6.30pm and 12.30am on New Year’s Eve.

Assistant chief officer Neil Odin said: "We want everyone to have a very merry Christmas and an enjoyable New Year. "But we also want both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve to pass safely and for people to remember that there will be fewer firefighters and vehicles available to us during the strike periods."

"If you are drinking, then please don't think about driving but grab a cab instead. “Also keep an eye on your cooking - we don't want anyone's Christmas dinner preparations to lead to a kitchen fire. And please make sure all Christmas lights are switched off and candles fully extinguished before you go to bed."

Another strike takes place on January 3 from 6.30-8.30am.

ACO Odin added emergency calls will still be dealt with but response times could be longer.

He said: “I want to reassure the public that if they call 999 during the strike hours, we will still respond However the response may have to come from further away and therefore may take longer to get there."