THE heat is certainly being turned on the firefighters as their threatened national strike looms closer.

Reacting to a blast of Blair rhetoric, when he invoked imagery of the miners' strike and Arthur Scargill, the FBU hit back strongly and, until yesterday, would not be drawn as to what they considered was acceptable "emergency" cover.

However, the stance became noticeably warmer when the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, invited the FBU in for talks and there are, at least, some hopeful signs.

Diplomacy is usually a good way to get a resolution to any industrial dispute and extended talks today may bear fruit.

But much damage has already been done.

Damage to the Government's reputation with the unions and public. They have been seen to vacillate and be timid in the face of provocation.

This paper took them to task over dithering during the foot-and-mouth crisis, and they are giving a good impression of a repeat performance.

Damage to the union's reputation - Whatever the sympathy for the firemen's cause, and there is much from this paper and its readers, they may end up being seen as greedy if they insist on payment in full of their 40 per cent claim as the only result they will accept.

Damage to the local community - Much has been written of the inevitable knock-on effects the strike will have on other essential services.

Plans for the Pitchcroft bonfire, a celebration loved by many and organised by Worcester Round Table, have been put on hold. If there is no fire service cover there will be no bonfire.

Damage is already being done.

We urge both sides to consider the consequences of not "doing the deal" to sort this matter out - and fast.