Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Pilots at Lufthansa are set to strike on Wednesday, grounding several flights

Pilots at German national airline Lufthansa said they would go on strike on Wednesday, affecting the airline's short and medium-haul flights.

The strike action was called by the pilot's union Vereinigung Cockpit in an ongoing dispute with the airline over its early retirement benefits.

Workers are also in a dispute over Lufthansa's plan to expand its low-cost operations.

The move is the latest in a series of strikes that have plagued the airline.

The walkout would last 24 hours, affecting flights throughout Germany. But flights at the carrier's budget units Germanwings and Eurowings would not be affected, the union said.

Pilots have held a series of strikes from last year over Lufthansa's plans to change their pension arrangements.

The airline wants to get rid of a programme that allows pilots to retire at age 55 and receive up to 60% of their pay until they reach the statutory retirement age of 65.

The union also said that the airline wants to offer younger pilots less attractive working conditions, forcing it to strike.

Strikes cost Lufthansa 232m euros (£165m) last year.