FIREFIGHTERS will go on a series of strikes totalling 36 days on Tuesday next week at 9am to get a 40 per cent increase in pay that would see their wage rise from £21,500 to £31,000.

The firefighters and the Fire Brigade Union argue that the current level of pay is far too low and does not reflect the skilled nature of the job.

They say that the government has totally ignored them and refused to even discuss the matter since it came up last year.

The FBU say five independent pay reviews have already been carried out and the government has ignored their findings because they called for more pay.

They have rejected the four per cent offer because they say it is attached to conditions that will take personnel off active firefighting duties and endanger lives.

The FBU say that the independent pay review currently being proposed by the government is not independent and the final decision not to give a pay rise has already been made.

Steve Harman, the FBU's Lancashire Brigade Secretary, said: "They've admitted the decision has already been made in public.

"There has been a total lack of negotiation and we have no other avenue to go down. Nobody knows the consequence of strike action better than those in the fire service but the strength of feeling is so strong that they feel they must go ahead."

Peter Pike, Burnley MP, backed the firefighters and said they deserved more.

He said: "Having listened to the firefighters' case I do not feel that a four per cent increase on a salary of £21,531 is a fair offer or fair salary and I will be writing to the Deputy Prime Minister urging a rethink."

They have a groundswell of support among the public.

Ismail Karolia, 30, of Dorchester Close, Blackburn, said: "I think the firefighters do a great job - they risk their lives for other people, they certainly deserve more money."

John Macintosh, of Fairhope Close, Blackburn, said: "As far as I can gather the firemen should get more money, they certainly deserve more. They should get something comparable with that given to the police."