BAILIFFS were set to swoop on Lancashire Fire Brigade after county bosses failed to extinguish an £8,000 promised payout to a former Padiham firefighter.

They agreed to hand over the cash to ex-station officer Ian Copley after a Manchester Industrial Tribunal hearing for wrongful dismissal was called off after four days.

But when the money didn't arrive on time, blazing Fire Brigade Union officials took the case to a Preston county court where solicitors pressed for bailiffs to be allowed to reel in goods to the value of the missing money.

But a judge put a dampener on their "grab a fire engine" move by giving the county council a further seven days to come up with the cash.

And with the heat on, Lancashire chiefs paid out to Mr Copley, 44, an officer with 21 years' service, on the very last day of the order.

Said FBU spokesman, Tony Harris: "Part of the deal was a gagging order on Mr Copley not to speak about the matter and he is honouring that agreement.

"But as far as I am concerned, I am very disappointed with the way Mr Copley was treated.

"The Fire Brigade showed scant regard for 21 years of loyal service."

Mr Harris explained that Mr Copley, who lives in Padiham and has served with the Burnley force, developed osteo-arthritis of his shoulders and was declared fit only for light or administrative duties at his Broughton fire brigade headquarters base.

"Last year he refused to go into work because he had a sick note. But the brigade deemed he had frustrated his contract and therefore terminated his employment."

Mr Harris said that despite the £8,000 payment, Mr Copley was not entitled to any pension until he was 60 and further action would be taken to secure earlier payment.

A county council spokesman apologised for the payment delay which, she said, resulted from administrative problems, not caused by the fire service.

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