Firefighters in England are to stage a fresh strike in their long-running row with the Government over pensions.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union will walk out for 24 hours on February 25.

It will be the 66th time FBU members have been on strike since the bitter row over pensions and retirement age broke out two years ago.

The union has accused fire minister Penny Mordaunt of "misleading" MPs about any assurances given to firefighters from fire authorities over what will happen to their pensions if they fail fitness tests.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: "It is clear that when Penny Mordaunt gave the guarantee in Parliament she would have been aware that no fire authority ever planned to implement a 'guarantee'.

"In order to win the vote to pass the flawed firefighters pension regulations Penny Mordaunt misled firefighters and Parliament.

"The minister is still writing to firefighters telling them they have the guarantee when she clearly knows that they do not.

"Firefighters are unbelievably angry with the disgraceful actions of this Government."

Since a debate in the Commons, the FBU has written to Ms Mordaunt asking for an explanation and a meeting but it said the minister had "simply ignored" these requests.

"Firefighters still face the choice of either being sacked or receiving a severely reduced pension if they fail fitness tests as a result of naturally declining fitness through age. Exactly the opposite of what the minister told Parliament," said Mr Wrack.

Firefighters in Northern Ireland have ended their dispute following a revised and improved offer, including a lower pension age.

FBU members in Scotland will not be on strike as a result of "genuine negotiations" having delivered changes to the proposals facing firefighters in England, while firemen and women in Wales will also not be taking action because of continuing negotiations and "clear indications" that improvements will be made.

The 24-hour strike will coincide with a rally and protest in Westminster.

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: "All fire and rescue authorities have robust and well-tested plans in place that include back up support if needed. Public safety is our priority and if anyone needs emergency assistance they should dial 999 and they will get a response.

"It is regrettable that the Fire Brigades Union has announced this strike action, the aim of which is unclear. What it will do is see firefighters lose pay and damage the reputation of the service.

"Pension regulations were laid recently in Parliament after extensive consultation and amendment. The Government recognises the important role firefighters play in keeping the public safe and has worked hard to give them one of the most generous pension schemes in the public sector.

"We have been crystal clear that firefighters aged 55 or over who fail a fitness test through no fault of their own and cannot regain fitness with remedial help and are not eligible for an ill-health pension or where a fire authority cannot provide reasonable adjustments or a redeployment opportunity, should be awarded an unreduced pension."