Some crews have been answering 999 calls only

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) executive said it was happy with a proposal by local authority employers.

It will meet again in a week to decide whether to end the dispute, following consultations with members.

The row centres on the suspension of a number of firefighters for refusing to operate new anti-terrorist equipment.

Payment delayed

The dispute began in Greater Manchester, where 135 firefighters have now been suspended.

Their action was in protest at the breakdown of talks aimed at finalising a deal agreed a year ago to end a series of pay strikes.

Employers said they wanted changes to stand-down time, when firefighters remain on stand-by in stations on night shifts but do not carry out other duties such as training.

Fire crews said they would not co-operate until they received the 3.5% pay rise agreed last summer, which they believe they were due in November 2003.

The suspension of the Manchester firefighters prompted unofficial action by colleagues across the UK.

'Real anger'

FBU general secretary Andy Gilchrist said it was recommending new wording concerning nightshift duties, which could settle the dispute.

"In our view the new wording is a positive response to our proposals," he said.

The row has raised the prospect of the return of picket lines

"We believe this forms the basis of an agreement and we have recommended it to our members and will be consulting with them.

"If the response of members is positive then the employers must move quickly and pay the outstanding money due since November last year. That delay has caused real anger and they really will have no excuses left."

Talks between the two sides on Monday had lasted for more than five hours. They later gave conflicting views of the progress made.

The union said it had expressed "fury and disgust" to the employers, but bosses were more positive and said agreement was nearer after the discussions.