Changes to firefighters' pensions have been labelled "morally flawed".

Essex's chief fire officer David Johnson has vowed to fight the Government over proposed alterations to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme.

There are fears that proposed changes to the ill-health provision part of the pensions plan will create a system similar to the current, controversial, Army compensation scheme.

The Army scheme has recently been criticised for its low payments offered to injured servicemen.

Under the current pension scheme, firefighters who are injured in the line of duty and cannot carry out all the aspects of their job are allowed to retire early with an ill-health pension.

The proposed new rules will mean that any firefighter who is injured, no matter how seriously, and can fulfil any one part of the role of a firefighter, may be offered alternative work within the service.

If an alternative job does not exist, then the firefighter could be asked to leave, but would be unable to take his or her pension.

Mr Johnson, head of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: "I am disappointed that no one seems to be prepared to move on this issue and Essex firefighters have my full backing in their attempts to lobby for change.

"I remain convinced that the proposed new guidance is morally flawed, and will do everything I can to support a return to the 2004 guidance."