Retained firefighters at half the country's fire stations are on strike today after no agreement was reached in a row over pay and conditions.

Emergency cover was halted at 100 stations at midnight and crews will picket outside stations across the day.

The closure will extend to all stations next week if their demands aren't addressed.

They are calling for an increase in the base rate of pay and say failure to address issues such as recruitment and pensions could result in the permanent closure of fire stations across the country.