A NATIONAL strike by firefighters will go ahead after peace talks broke down in London, the Fire Brigades Union said.

Brigades throughout the country will be on strike for 48 hours, starting at 6pm tomorrow (Wednesday).

In a statement Andy Gilchrist, general secretary of Fire Brigades Union, said: "The executive council met our employers today and have unanimously rejected their offer on pay as well as the Bain Review. The offer is derisory. It represents only £10 per week in take home pay and this will not be paid to every firefighter or emergency fire control operator.

"Despite taking on board the proposals from Bain the Employers have admitted that they have not thoroughly discussed the report. On two occasions the Government interference has blocked any possibility of a negotiated settlement.

"They have therefore successfully provoked a national Fire Service strike – only the second in history. The Fire Brigades Union executive council believe that firefighters and emergency fire control operators deserve professional pay. Even Bain recognized that its professionalism is “beyond compare”.

He added: "The membership and officials of our union, the nations firefighters and emergency fire control operators have continued to act reasonably, responsibly and with great patience. We have however been met by a provocative response which shows contempt for our members in the shape of the employers’ final offer to us.

"The strike action planned for 6pm on Wednesday will now go ahead. The responsibility for this lies squarely with the Government and our Employers. We are confident that our members will stand together, our strength lies in our unity."