FIRE crews in Warrington will not be striking at Christmas as negotiation talks continue - but the town's residents are being urged to stay alert over the festive holiday.

The walkout, which was scheduled to take place from 9am on Monday, December 16, until 9am on Christmas Eve morning, was called off on Thursday.

A spokesman at Warrington Fire Station said: "The next strike is definitely off because of the continuing talks with ACAS.

"Two 48-hour strikes have been pencilled in for the week commencing January 27. We are giving it plenty of time for negotiations to happen, but if we are not happy we are reserving the right to go on strike again."

Strikes in the new year have been scheduled to take place from 9am on January 28 to 9am on January 30, and 9am on February 1 to 9am on February 3.

Despite the walkout being cancelled, people are being advised to take care over the coming month.

Cheshire's fire chief Steve McGuirk has revealed that figures show there is an increased danger of fire in the home over the festive period.

Last year Cheshire Fire Brigade attended more than 40 house fires and nearly 400 other calls during the 12 days of Christmas.

He said: "Celebration and the joy of having our family around us is what the festive period is all about. Hard facts prove that it is a period of potential danger to our loved ones.

"The last thing we want this Christmas is an invitation to your home via 999."