The agreement lifts the threat of further strike action

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and local authority employers settled their differences at talks in London.

The threat of strike action was lifted after the UK's councils resolved their own internal divisions over the part of the deal covering Bank Holiday working.

The deal was greeted with "delight" by FBU Scotland and the Scottish councils' umbrella body Cosla.

Its president, Pat Watters, said: "First and foremost I am absolutely delighted that we have reached a deal with our firefighters and that the prospect of industrial action has been avoided.

It has been a long and bitter dispute and caused great resentment in the fire service, but now it is time to look forward and move on John McDonald FBU Scotland

"As those who run and manage the fire service, both Scottish local government and the eight Scottish brigades are very pleased with today's successful conclusion."

John McDonald, FBU executive member for Scotland, said: "We are delighted that after two-and-a-half years we have finally secured the money we are entitled to.

"It has been a long and bitter dispute and caused great resentment in the fire service, but now it is time to look forward and move on.

"We could have resolved this last August if there hadn't been political interference from the government and that is a lesson."

The dispute related to the implementation of the agreement struck in June last year, including pay increases backdated to last November.

Forced out

A peace deal had been agreed with the FBU three weeks ago but was voted down by the employers' side.

Christina Jebb, the chief negotiator for local government organisations from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, was then forced out.

She was said to have "stood down" after branding the rejection of the offer "totally irresponsible".

The latest deal was put to the unions on Thursday

The English Local Government Association said she had lost the confidence of members.

However, Mr Watters complained at the time that Scotland's councils had not been consulted on her departure.

On Thursday, he said that said the argument at that time had been over words.

"The trade union accepted a position that we put to them," he explained.

"Unfortunately we could not get ourselves together on the employers' side.

"Yesterday at a meeting in London we managed to get to a position where we are together and it is not a million miles away from the position that we were at three weeks ago."

Double time

BBC correspondent Stephen Cape said the difference between the two offers came down to the addition of a single paragraph.

It recognises that public holidays are different to normal working days for firefighters, but that those working them will receive double time and some time off in lieu.

He said the other remaining issue had been over verification of the modernisation agreement.