RETAINED firefighters in West Yorkshire will have to wait to see how they are affected by a court ruling on pensions.

Royal Berkshire and Kent Fire and Rescue Services were the two brigades used as test cases in an action on pensions brought by the Fire Brigades Union.

But the impact on other brigades is yet to be determined.

The union had argued that it was illegal to deny retained firefighters the same pension and sick pay rights of full-time firemen and women.

The union's case was turned down at an Employment Tribunal, an Employment Appeals Tribunal and in the Court of Appeal, but was accepted by the Law Lords

Iain Cox, Chief Fire Officer of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The national employers will now consult with all the fire authorities that employ retained firefighters, but it is difficult to estimate at this stage as to the actual impact this will have on brigades.

"We are awaiting guidance from the Fire Brigades National Employers."

There are retained firefighters at stations including Slaithwaite, Holmfirth, Marsden and Meltham.