Crews at some Scottish fire stations have begun answering emergency calls only in their dispute over pay, according to union officials.

The action began as last-ditch pay talks aimed at averting industrial action by firefighters across the UK broke down.

Tam Tierney, Scottish secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said the action started in the Strathclyde area on Monday morning.

Mr Tierney said he believed the unofficial action had also spread to a number of English cities.

It appears to be initially supported on a large basis but it is having no adverse affect on fire cover at all

Strathclyde Fire Brigade spokesman

"I have been on the phone to officials at all of the brigades in Scotland to tell them to get back on to normal working, and they are telling me no, they are on emergency calls only, apparently from about 8am this morning," he said.

"Obviously they are doing it to coincide with the demonstration down here in London."

Mr Tierney said the action would have "nil effect" on the public, since emergency calls would continue to be answered.

'Contemptuous offer'

"The union cannot support this as it is unofficial, but it's clear that our people are responding to the derisory and contemptuous offer by the employers."

Duties such as routine inspections and equipment checks were likely to be affected.

Firefighters want a 40% increase

Firefighters have been offered a 4% pay rise and the chance of an independent inquiry to examine wages and conditions in the service.

The union has demanded a 40% increase to take a qualified firefighter's salary from �21,500 to �30,000.

Talks in London between union leaders and local authority employers lasted less than 90 minutes.

Strathclyde Fire brigade said it was still trying to ascertain how many people were involved in the work to rule action.

"It appears to be initially supported on a large basis but it is having no adverse affect on fire cover at all," a spokesman said.

A spokesman for Grampian Fire Brigade said 78 operational staff, as well as union members among the support staff, had begun working to rule.