Firefighters on a picket line in Leeds watched the first few minutes of the prime minister's news conference before switching it off, saying: "We've heard enough".

Firefighter Richard Gomershall told BBC News 24 that Mr Blair had said "nothing constructive whatsoever" that would put an end to the strike.

He said: "Unfortunately what he said this morning has only strengthened the resolve of the firemen on this picket line.

What he [Mr Blair] said this morning has only strengthened the resolve of the firemen on this picket line

Firefighter Richard Gomershall

"Unless the government changes its views and has one person coming from the right direction we will go on forever."

Fellow firefighter Andy Killingbeck said the modernisation the government was demanding would mean cuts.

"That would mean less firefighters, less fire engines and less fire stations and therefore putting lives at risk," he said, as he stood outside a fire station in the Gipton area of Leeds.

Firefighters at Manchester Central Fire Station reacted to Mr Blair's speech with an equal mix of anger and disappointment.

Firefighter Ian Watson said: "No way will any fireman in the country accept cuts in the fire service staff", because of the risk to both themselves and the public.

Senior officer John Crawley said he believed the government "had lied and cheated" and were "trying to con the general public".

But station commander John Weaver was keen to stress there was "always scope for negotiation", and firefighters were willing to discuss any topic, including flexible shifts and an end to the service's overtime ban.

But he said all talks had to be on the basis of "a professional service, earning professional money".

Donations

Fire Brigades Union officials said Mr Blair's comments showed the government's position was hardening, making a settlement less likely.

The union has set two more eight-day-long strikes, starting on 4 December and 16 December unless there was a breakthrough to the deadlocked dispute.

Firefighters in Soho, London, said the prime minister was out of touch.

They told the BBC they were well up on modernisation practices such as working alongside part-time firefighters.

Firefighters say Tony Blair is out of touch

They agreed that introducing overtime would mean job cuts.

Firefighters at Woodford fire station in East London watched the speech from a store cupboard, surrounded by food donated by the public.

Firefighter Ken said firefighters were on considerably less wages than ministers, who awarded themselves a 41% pay rise.

"They are saying to us... to take a lot less than they awarded themselves," he told BBC Five Live.

He said Mr Blair may have said he was sympathetic to the firefighters, but sympathy does not pay a mortgage.