Firefighters' leaders have suspended the next eight-day strike, due to start on Monday.

But the executive of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has set a new date for a 48-hour strike on 27 January.

The executive will not hesitate to instruct members to take further strike action Andy Gilchrist FBU

The third walkout was due to last until Christmas Eve, but has been called off to allow further talks aimed at resolving the pay dispute.

BBC News understands the fire service employers will put a new pay offer to the FBU in the second week in January.

Union leaders made the strike suspension announcement from their headquarters in Kingston, Surrey, after talks with the conciliation service Acas.

'Positive' talks

The FBU was coming under pressure as its members faced another long strike period without pay, just prior to Christmas.

Andy Gilchrist, general secretary of the FBU, described the discussions with Acas on Wednesday morning as "positive".

He said: "The executive is keen to resolve this dispute through a negotiated settlement.

Andy Gilchrist warned the government

"We have informed our employers that we are determined to achieve a serious and significant increase in pay for our members and we hope to do this through negotiation.

"However, should progress halt or fail, or if the government or our employers are no longer seriously negotiating on our claim, the executive will not hesitate to instruct members to take further strike action."

Local authority employers are due to be at the conciliation service on Thursday.

A spokeswoman said: "It is the right thing to do and will allow the talks to be held in a conciliatory mode, rather than one where we feel under pressure."

New offer

A spokesman for the Office of Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said the decision was welcomed by ministers.

But he added: "The government's position remains clear, any settlement must be within the framework set out by the deputy prime minister."

Face-to-face talks between the FBU and the union leaders are not expected until after Christmas.

But sources have told the BBC a new pay offer is expected in the second week of January.

The Army was ready to cover the strike

This could form the basis of further negotiations and subsequent consultation with union members.

The final conclusions of an independent review of the fire service by Sir George Bain are due to be published on 16 December.

The FBU blamed the government for the last strike going ahead because of its veto of a deal between the local authorities and the union.

This would have meant a 16% pay rise, partly funded by taxpayers.

But the government said anything over 4% would have to be paid for through reform of working practices, aspects of which is fiercely opposed by union members.