A soldier providing emergency cover during the firefighters strike faces a military prison sentence for making two hoax 999 calls to his unit.

The soldier, who has not been named, was stationed in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, during industrial action called by the Fire Brigades Union.

His false calls sent colleagues to an address in the town just an hour before the end of the 48-hour strike on 3 February.

Police traced the calls to the mobile phone of the soldier who was a member of the 40th Regiment of the Royal Artillery.

'Unusual incident'

An army spokesman said: "During the last hour of the strike two hoax calls were made about the incident, which we identified as a hoax.

"Police traced the calls to his mobile phone.

"It is a highly unusual incident. It is something we will also view very seriously.

"The police have now given us jurisdiction to deal with the matter. He is more likely to be dealt with very seriously by the military than by a civilian court."

The spokesman said the soldier could be fined or jailed after he faces his commanding officer on Monday or Tuesday.

The army spokesman said: "It could go to either end of the spectrum."

The Home Office has promised tough measures, including prompt disconnection and fast-track prosecutions for hoaxers.