Troops are again preparing to take over from the UK's full-time firefighters with the start of their latest 24-hour walkout due at 0900 GMT.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is going ahead with the third walkout in its dispute over pay and reforms, despite condemnation by the deputy prime minister that it threatened public safety.

STRIKE SCHEDULE

21 January: 24 hours 28 January: 48 hours 1 February: 48 hours

The decision came as 26,000 troops were mobilised for possible action against Iraq. A further 19,000 are needed to provide fire cover.

A new survey suggested most of the British public still backed the firefighters.

About 63% of 995 adults asked by Mori said they supported the strike as long as emergency cover was provided.

But the Fire Chiefs' Association said it was not the time to go on strike, because of the public safety implications.

IF FIRE BREAKS OUT

Get out Stay out Call 999 as usual

President Jeff Ord told BBC Breakfast: "The worry this time is what we've seen over the last seven days in terms of the risk from terrorism.

"It just seems that a strike at the moment is futile because it's not having any influence upon the negotiations or the outcomes.

"We would encourage them to get back to the table at [conciliation service] Acas."

More than 177 red appliances will join the army's Green Goddess fire engines during this strike - 90 more than during the last walkout.

The public is urged, if fire breaks out, to get out of the building, stay out of the building, and call 999 as usual.

Resolution in sight?

BBC labour affairs correspondent Stephen Cape said that despite the rhetoric, the two sides were "inching" towards a settlement.

TALKING POINT

Do you support the latest strike? The public are getting fed up with this Alan, England

Join the debate

He said there was the sign of some resolution to the dispute but that there could still be months of negotiations ahead.

FBU general secretary Andy Gilchrist said it was "greatly disappointing" for firefighters that the strike was going ahead.

The FBU has said the "modernisation" demanded by the government would mean job cuts and a reduction in cover.

The FBU is proposing two longer strikes in the coming weeks, but the union and employers may be back around the negotiating table this week.

Where did the fire strike go wrong?

Local authority employers have stood resolute on a pay offer of 4%, rising to 11% over two years, based on a report into the fire service by Sir George Bain, published in December.

During previous strikes, firefighters have left picket lines to help soldiers on difficult fires.

But in South Wales on Monday night, FBU members voted not to break the strike for life-threatening call outs.

FBU members in Caerphilly decided not to after a receiving a management letter reminding them they would not be covered by insurance.