Firefighters will begin a series of three strikes today to resist government attacks on their pensions.

And rogue bosses of one fire service announced a lockout of firefighters.

The first stoppage across England and Wales is from noon to 5pm today, followed by strikes from 2pm on Saturday to 2am on Sunday, and 10am to 3pm on Sunday.

Overtime will be banned in England and Wales from 3pm on Sunday until noon on Friday May 9 and in Scotland between noon today and noon on May 9.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said striking firefighters will be locked out for their whole shifts, preventing them from resuming work after the short strikes end.

Fire Brigades Union (FBU) southern region chair Steve Allen said: “Local firefighters are extremely worried about the implications of this nonsensical and unnecessary decision for our members and the communities of Buckinghamshire.

“Firefighters are striking very reluctantly over central government’s attacks on our pensions and it would be awful if the behaviour of the local brigade meant that a local dispute erupted too, but we won’t be bullied.”

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack, who will visit Buckinghamshire picket lines today, said: “Common sense must prevail and Buckinghamshire’s chief officer needs to understand that our members will not be intimidated.”

The FBU said that the government had refused to resolve the dispute after three years of talks, and the strike could be called off if it offered a decent pensions proposal.

The coalition wants to force up pension contributions — making firefighters pay over £4,000 a year from a salary of less than £29,000.

Firefighters could also lose pension money because they face the sack if they cannot maintain front-line fitness even as they approach 60.

In a letter to Fire Minister Brandon Lewis this week Mr Wrack said: “It is purely the failure of the government to present revised proposals that has led to these strikes. Now the government is walking away from talks. It is utterly irresponsible.”