THE chief of Lancashire's fire fighting force has warned that people's lives will be put at risk if firefighters press ahead with plans to strike.

It comes as members of the Fire Brigades Union lock horns with employers to secure a pay rise.

If next week's meetings fail, members could be balloted for strike action.

A strike could see Preston and South Ribble firefighters leaving their stations for anything from a few hours to a matter of days and their jobs done by specially trained soldiers.

Peter Holland, chief fire officer for Lancashire Fire and Rescue, said: "If the worst comes to the worst and a strike occurs the troops will be called in. That would incur risks for the public. There will be a significant reduction in the standards of any cover provided by the regular fire service.

"Lives will be put at risk if strike action goes ahead."

The majority of firefighters working in Lancashire are members of the FBU and could be called upon to take action in November. On Monday, August 2, about 55 firefighters from Preston and South Ribble -- along with their families -- will travel to London to lobby a meeting of the FBU and the Fire Service National Employers.

The union is demanding a pay rise for their employees, including firefighters and control room workers. They argue that everyone from part-time, retained officers to full-time staff should get paid for the same risks and stress the job entails.

Steve Harman, brigade secretary for the FBU, said: "We are still paid like manual workers from 1978. We have got members getting working families tax credit because they are classed by the Government as a low wage family.

"If our employers do not meet our demands we will have no choice. The only threat we can have as a union is to withdraw our labour.

"It is sad in this modern world, but it is the employers who are pushing us into this position."

To make sure the area is still covered by emergency workers, the army are preparing to train soldiers to fight fires. The move could see the return of the famous Green Goddesses, the army's stand-by engines.

A spokesman for the British Army confirmed plans were being drawn up with the Deputy Prime Minister's office in case of an emergency. He said: "We have been asked to identify people who might be around and set up how we might go about it. We have identified 650 people. We are hoping there will be no strike."