Fire Brigades Union leader Andy Gilchrist has launched a scathing attack on the government, warning that firefighters' resolve will not break as a third strike looms.

Mr Gilchrist said it was a disgrace that Chancellor Gordon Brown could find �1bn for a war on Iraq, but could not fund a settlement with the firefighters.

He said the unions should seriously considering ending their links with a Labour government that treated workers with contempt.

I'm quite prepared to work to replace New Labour

Andy Gilchrist FBU

Firefighters left their picket lines to return to work at 0900 GMT on Saturday after an eight-day strike, but another eight-day walk-out looks almost certain to begin on Wednesday.

Mr Gilchrist was bullish after the end of the strike.

He dismissed the "hysterical rantings" of the government and said its hard stance would not stop the union's fight.

Talks aimed at resolving the increasingly bitter dispute ended without agreement on Friday as Tony Blair refused to budge on pay and the union made no concession on modernisation.

If there is still no agreement after the next strike, a further eight-day walkout is due to run until Christmas Eve.

Speaking to a rally in Manchester, Mr Gilchrist said: "Some of the abuse and criticism that has been levelled at firefighters and control staff borders on the insane as well as the insulting."

He also said plans for a war on Iraq showed where the government's financial priorities lay.

"It's disgraceful to say that for people in this country who are prepared to risk their lives to save others you can't find any extra money but you can find at least a billion to bomb innocent men, women and children in Iraq in a futile effort to bomb them into democracy."

Andy Gilchrist: Determined to fight on

Mr Gilchrist said the government had "ensured and provoked" the fire strike, was "prepared to play with people's lives", and suggested the union movement should debate its historic links with Labour.

He added: "I'm quite prepared to work to replace New Labour with what I'm prepared to call Real Labour."

The FBU leader's broadside came after Tony Blair sternly reiterated the government's position that any pay rise for firefighters beyond 4% would be totally dependent on modernisation.

On Friday, the prime minister stressed the "brilliant" work of the armed forces in standing in for firefighters during the dispute - suggesting the working practices used by soldiers could be transferred to the fire service.

Body found

Military personnel have been working alongside police and ambulance officers in joint control rooms - one modernising move the union resists.

Separate talks will be held by the union and the firefighters' local authority employers on Monday, with the union's executive having to decide whether it wants to call further industrial action after Christmas.

Two more strikes are planned before Christmas

Meanwhile, a man died in Lincoln earlier on Saturday, in what was the last fatality of the second strike period, bringing the total number of deaths in fires to nine.

Two Green Goddesses and four retained crews were called to the house in Queen Street in the Sincil Bank area of the city around 0500 GMT on Saturday.

The man's body was found once the fire was brought under control.

On Friday evening, an elderly man died at his home in Hertfordshire.

Police said retained firefighters went to the bungalow in Northchurch, Berkhamsted, but were unable to save the man.

Military Green Goddess crews were not called in.