The dispute is long-running

Union leaders had met local authority employers to try to break the deadlock.

But they failed to reach a deal to settle what they say is a 3.5% rise outstanding since November, and a further 4.2% owed since 1 July.

The dispute flared up following a hitch to the agreement that ended a series of strikes in 2002 and 2003.

A deadlock over "stand-down time" during night shifts was broken during negotiations on Thursday.

That related to whether firefighters should have to undertake training or other duties while waiting for a call out.

There was some confusion surrounding the end of talks in central London.

Modernisation

The employers said they ended with the FBU rejecting an offer but the union said its members were still waiting to reconvene and discuss the issue.

Firefighters are taking action because they say that the pay agreement reached after last year's national strike has not been implemented.

The 4.2% rise depended on the Audit Commission verifying that changes to modernising the force, agreed as part of the deal, were being carried out, the bosses said. "A clear agreement was reached. A government-inspired wrecking crew from London has been sent in to destroy this deal and they have done it."

A government-inspired wrecking crew from London has been sent in to destroy this deal and they have FBU spokesman

"The Local Government Association is disappointed that at a meeting of the National Joint Council today, the FBU would not accept this position," a spokesman said.

Changes to shift patterns, pay scales, overtime and part-time working were agreed as part of the deal.

The FBU said no more testing would be done before a full report due at the end of the year. It said progress was enough to unlock extra cash for firefighters.

The FBU has now accused Minister for Local and Regional Government Nick Raynsford of "wrecking" the deal and will begin balloting members over industrial action on Tuesday.

A spokesman said talks had concluded successfully last week, with the only sticking point - stand down time - having been resolved.

'Stunned'

FBU assistant general secretary Mike Fordham said he was "stunned and angry".

He said Nick Raynsford "does not want agreement on any terms, he only wants confrontation".

We have always made it clear that we are prepared to provide transitional funding to support the agreement that resulted in modernisation Office of the Deputy Prime Minister spokesman

"He threatened to withdraw the �30m transitional funding if a deal was reached. He has bullied these councillors into adopting a position many of them are disgusted with."

But a spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said it was "nonsense" for the FBU to say the government had intervened.

He said: "The government has taken no part in these negotiations.

"We have always made it clear that we are prepared to provide transitional funding to support the agreement that resulted in modernisation."