FIREFIGHTERS have reached an agreement with the fire service after a long running trade dispute.

A series of strikes were held over the summer following a four year battle between the Fire Brigades' Union and the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

The union had claimed planned changes by the fire service could cost lives and were not in the best interests of residents.

However the FBU accepted the offer by the fire service late last night and all future strikes have been called off.