Hundreds of firefighters from across Yorkshire have met union leader Andy Gilchrist to discuss the fire strikes.

Firefighters left the meeting at Wortley Hall in South Yorkshire on Wednesday saying they were impressed by what the Fire Brigades Union boss had told them.

They said more talks with conciliation service Acas were foreseeable, along with further strikes until a satisfactory pay deal could be agreed.

Bernard Clarke, a retained firefighter from Silsden, West Yorkshire, said: "We are solidly behind the executive of this union.

'Spinning lies'

"I say to this government - treat us the same and pay us what we are worth."

Steve Richings, a firefighter based at Moortown in Leeds, said of Mr Gilchrist: "He is still superb.

"Everyone is together and he is fulfilling our wishes that we asked of him last year - to get us a decent pay deal and not to sell our jobs down the line."

Derek Housley, fire safety officer at Barnsley, said: "Firefighters have gone from heroes to Scargilites.

"The government is spinning lies and they have really lost the plot.

After the 90-minute event, Mr Gilchrist said: "The message from this meeting is that the government really has to think again about allowing proper and serious negotiations."