Strike action by firefighters has led to a motorcycle safety festival being cancelled.

The decision has been made by Hertfordshire County Council as a result of 16 Fire Brigades Union strikes in the week leading up to BikeFest, which was due to be held in Stevenage on August 17.

Walkouts will be held every day from midday to 2pm and 10.59pm to 11.59pm until August 16 as a dispute over pensions continues.

The county council says it has been forced to cancel the event as strike action will place “additional strain” on the fire service, making it unable to allocate resources for the event.

Councillor Richard Thake, cabinet member for community safety, said: “It’s extremely disappointing that this fabulous event has fallen victim to the national dispute between the Government and the Fire Brigades Union. I know many people were looking forward to the event, and I’m sorry for any disappointment.

“I’m hopeful that Bikefest will return in 2015.”

The event, which attracts more than 3000 bikers, is run by local firefighters in order to promote road safety messages to a traditionally ‘hard to reach’ group.

Fire Brigades Union secretary for Hertfordshire Daren Scotchford said: “We just cannot see the justification for cancelling an event that is in no way affected by the strikes which come to an end the night before.”

“This is a huge waste of the money that has already been spent to stage Bikefest, money that is now lost to the taxpayer - not to mention the inconvenience to all involved and the disappointment of those who were attending.”