LANCASHIRE was hit with a fire-strike bombshell today after it was revealed that part-time crews across the county are to join the protest.

The area is now facing up to the prospect of being covered by just nine Green Goddess engines and military fire crews based on spots near the M65 when the strikes begin on October 29.

Many counties are being covered by the Retained Firefighter's Union (RFU), which has thousands of members across the country and is opposed to the action.

But today officials revealed it had only ten members in Lancashire -- and the remainder of the county's 350 retained firefighters are due to join the Fire Brigade's Union (FBU) strike.

The county has 18 retained fire stations -- including Haslingden, Earby, Barnoldswick, Padiham, Colne, Great Harwood, Oswaldtwistle, Clitheroe and Longridge.

There are a further 11 full-time stations which have a retained crew, including Bacup, Rawtenstall, Nelson and Darwen.

The area would normally have 35 fire engines on a typical day.

The RFU has said its members would be able to provide an acceptable service in many areas but today a spokesman said Lancashire was not the "norm" and that it was one of its lowest county's for membership.

He added: "It is a blow for Lancashire but that says a lot about the brigade in that if they had been helpful to the RFU they would have more members and wouldn't have as many problems."

Fire chiefs are looking into the possibility of fire crews crossing picket lines.

A letter has been sent to all of the county's fire fighters asking them if they plan to participate in the strike.

But John Taylor, press officer for Lancashire Fire and Rescue, said: "With 90 per cent outline support for the FBU's strike call we are not expecting that many will turn up on the day.

"We really have to consider that the Green Goddesses will have to be called out.

"We cannot suppose or assume that we will have firefighters on duty other than the military personnel.

"We are not expecting anything other than a substantial strike."

Retained officers at Clitheroe staged a meeting last night to discuss the implications of the strike.

Dave McGrath, station officer, said: "It's a very unpleasant situation and shouldn't come to this. We are here to serve the public.

"Its an extremely worrying time and we ask people to be vigilant and have smoke alarms.

"There are no members of the RFU around here, so we are all in the FBU."

Duncan Brown, a retained officer at Padiham, said: "We are meeting tonight to see whether we are striking or not, but I am fairly certain that we are not going to cover.

"There are a few lads whose consciences are outweighing their union membership, but even if there are three or four lads who do not strike, they will not be able to provide cover."

Steve Harman, the FBU's Lancashire secretary, said retained officers earned £2,500 a year and that they were demanding £7,500 in the strike action.

A rise of £8,500 to £30,000 a year is wanted by full time officers.

He added: "The retained officers give a fantastic commitment to their communities.

"Most of them hold down a normal full-time job and give that service.

"Unless we get a decent wage to them we are not going to encourage more people to come forward.

"At the moment they are struggling to get enough retained fire fighters to keep their appliances on the road, especially from nine to five on Monday to Friday."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, said: "I find the situation in Lancashire very worrying.

"But I sincerely hope that an agreement can be come to nationally to prevent this.

"The firefighters have got a case for more pay but 40 per cent is unacceptable.

"I just hope they accept the independent review."

Strikes are due to take place from October 29 to October 31, November 2 to November 4, November 6 to November 14, November 22 to November 30, December 4 to December 12, and December 16 to December 24.