Firefighters have urged drunken partygoers to get themselves a takeaway while they are on strike.

The Fire Brigades Union is staging two further strikes this weekend and has asked people to avoid cooking if they have been out drinking at a Christmas party in case they cause a fire.

Firefighters will strike from 6pm to 10pm on Friday and Saturday evenings.

London Fire Brigade's commissioner Ron Dobson said: "I imagine a lot of people will be out drinking and celebrating Christmas this Friday and Saturday night, at the same time the Fire Brigades Union are on strike.

"I am genuinely concerned about people coming home from pubs or Christmas parties and trying to cook. Alcohol and cooking is a recipe for disaster as it’s easy to fall asleep and leave cooking on the hob.

"If you’re out drinking on Friday or Saturday it’s much safer to grab a kebab or some chips than trying to cook under the influence."

Firefighters are striking over changes to their pensions.

While they are on strike just 27 fire engines will cover London and will not attend incidents like grass fires, rubbish fires, animal rescues and people shut in lifts.