CHESHIRE Fire and Rescue Service is confident that it is once again prepared to handle the upcoming industrial action taking place this weekend.

Although the service is calling on the public to be extra vigilant over the May Bank Holiday weekend when the strikes take place.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union have announced three periods of industrial action over the May Bank Holiday Weekend.

The first will take place on Friday, May 2 from noon until 5pm, the second starts at 2pm on Saturday, May 3 and runs until 2am the following morning.

The third period will take place between 10am and 3pm on Sunday, May 4.

Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock said: “It is important to highlight that the strikes being proposed relate to national issues rather than local ones and that action will only be taken by those staff that are members of the Fire Brigade’s Union.

“We do have plans and procedures in place that will enable us to continue to protect the communities of Cheshire during strike periods. However, we will have less fire engines available and so we would encourage everyone to take extra care over the bank holiday weekend, both in the home and out and about on the roads, to keep themselves and their families safe.”

The service is reminding people of the following key safety advice: please make sure you have a working smoke alarm installed in your home, know exactly how to get out of your home if a fire breaks out, be especially careful when cooking – both in your home or on the barbecue and ensure that you take extra care while driving.

The service is also advising people and businesses to avoid doing anything that could increase the risk of a fire breaking out.

A spokesperson added: "We would like to thank the public for their continued support in helping to keep the number of incidents down during the industrial action."