COMMUNITIES are being urged to warn firefighters if they are planning to celebrate bonfire night by lighting a fire, because of forthcoming strikes.

The National Campaign for Firework Safety said residents should meet firefighters, go through their plans for any events and ask them to carry out a site inspection beforehand.

Firefighters across the country are to hold the first of 36 planned strikes on October 29 after a row over pay.

Although firefighters will not be striking on Tuesday, November 5, they will be out of action the weekend leading up to it, traditionally the time when community bonfires are held.

Peter Wilson, of the National Campaign for Firework Safety, said: "Discuss with the firefighters your plans for the coming Guy Fawkes' celebrations. Now is the time to iron out the problems.

"If your event takes place while the firefighters are on strike, consider changing the date."

One planned charity bonfire could already fizzle out because of the strike.

The organisers of Blackburn Rotaract's annual event at Witton Park, Blackburn, on Saturday, November 2, fear they will have to cancel because they will not be able get insurance.

The bonfire coincides with a 48-hour strike running from 9am on November 2 to 9am on November 4. Proceeds were due to go to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Magic Eye Appeal, which aims to raise £200,000 for a state-of-the-art ultrasound endoscopic scanner.

The equipment will benefit the whole of East Lancashire by offering quicker and less traumatic diagnosis of stomach and oesophagus cancer.

In the past, the bonfire has raised money for a number of charities like Marie Curie, the RSPCA, Blackburn Royal Infirmary, East Lancashire Hospice, Life Education and £5,750 for THOMAS (Those On The Margins Of Society) last year.

When the strike kicks in, the whole of East Lancashire will be at the hands of just nine ailing Green Goddess engines with a top speed of 35mph.

They will be based in spots near the M65, major residential areas or at police stations during the crisis.

East Lancashire would normally have 35 fire engines and 154 firefighters in a typical day.