HAMPSHIRE fire fighters called an end to their strikes in the early hours of this morning during one of the busiest nights of the year.

Fire fighting crews returned to their duties at 12.30am (January 1) bringing an end to the latest round in industrial action, a week after similar strikes were carried out on Christmas Eve.

Across Hampshire there were roughly 30 appliances available to respond to emergencies – approximately 40 per cent of the normal capacity.

Assistant chief officer Bob Ratcliffe thanked the community for taking care during the celebrations.

“We would ask people to continue not to take any unnecessary risks over the remainder of the festive period,” he said. “Though crews are now back to capacity, we would remind people to still take extra care as they continue their celebrations into the early hours of the New Year.

“So if you’re drinking, please don’t think about driving, grab a cab, and rather than cooking when you get home, treat yourself to a takeaway. And make sure all Christmas lights are switched off and candles fully extinguished before you go to bed.”