FIREFIGHTERS will be manning a picket line in Bromsgrove as they stage a 48 hour strike which could put lives in danger.

The town's 40 firefighters and full-time engine will be out of action from 9am on Tuesday, October 29, to 9am on Thursday, October 31, at the start of a series of two and eight-day strikes planned up to Christmas.

Matt Cox, Bromsgrove Branch of the Fire Brigade Union chairman, said the 15 retained firefighters in the town are also supporting the action - leaving just emergency cover provided by the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The RAF personnel from Shropshire will have a small number of ageing Green Goddess engines - built in the 1950s and 60s for civil defence - to cover Worcestershire.

They will be based at military locations, probably Territorial Army barracks.

But the regular firefighters will be off duty as they continue their campaign for a 40 per cent rise to take their pay up to £30,000 after voting 9-1 in favour of action.

"Nobody wants to strike but we've been backed into a corner" said Matt Cox. "The fire station in Windsor Street, Bromsgrove, will be empty for two days and we've set up strike committees to work on the details of picket lines."

He said the chance of someone dying was "everyone's nightmare".

"It would be something we'd have to live with for the rest of our lives," he said.

West Mercia Constabulary will be liasing with the RAF to provide local knowledge if necessary.

Bromsgrove's Tory MP, Julie Kirkbride, condemned the firefighters' choice of November 2 to 4 for their next target.

She said more lives would be put at risk as families held firework parties leading up to November 5.

Strikes are also planned for November 6 to November 14; November 22-30; December 4-12 and December 16-24.

A showpiece firework display at Cofton Park will still go ahead on November 2, despite falling the second planned strike.

Bosses at Birmingham City Council are confident the public will be safe at the annual event in Cofton Hackett, which attracts thousands of visitors.

A spokesman for the RAF said they were in the process of confirming the details this week and the exact location of the Green Goddesses was still to be finalised.

They will be manned by RAF personnel but the Army is expected to be in overall control of the operation.

l What's your view of the FBU strike plans? Write to the normal address.