Firefighters' leaders have announced plans for a fresh 24-hour strike on 21 January.

News of the stoppage, which will be followed by two 48-hour strikes, came after a special meeting in London attended by 100 union representatives.

They have also called off a meeting with conciliation service Acas and employers next week, saying the package on the table was derisory, non-negotiable and would lead to job cuts.

The employers have not put themselves in a position where they can make an offer Brian Briscoe Local Government Association

FBU leader Andy Gilchrist said with the government effectively enforcing an impasse, an Acas meeting would be pointless.

He told BBC Two's Newsnight: "Their position is one of take it or leave it, there is no negotiation. On that basis it isn't worth the bus fare going to Acas."

The move produced an angry response from fire service minister Nick Raynsford, who condemned the firefighters' union's "completely ridiculous" pay demands.

He said it was "deeply regrettable" the FBU was saying it would not take part in next week's planned talks.

The minister said: "I don't think it's defensible and I don't think the British public will think it is defensible."

Not 'unpatriotic'

Mr Raynsford later told Newsnight the government would not necessarily object to a pay rise greater than the 11% in the Bain report, as long as it was paid for by modernisation.

Mr Gilchrist denied firefighters would be unpatriotic if they went on strike during any war on Iraq.

And he rejected out of hand suggestions he should resign if his tactics failed to win his members a major pay increase, insisting he still had "resounding support".

Bain proposals

11% pay rise over two years Changes to shift patterns Charges for false alarm calls Insurance firms charged for road accidents Extra medical training for firefighters

But Brian Briscoe, chief executive of the Local Government Association, said no pay offer had yet been made and urged the firefighters to rethink joining discussions.

He told Channel 4 News: "I can categorically assure you that the employers have not put themselves in a position where they can make an offer."

Two 48-hour strikes planned for later in January and early February will also go ahead, said the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU).

The FBU claimed employers had already briefed the union on the offer they would be making next week.

The union says Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has told them to expect an offer of 4% now followed by 7% later this year - in line with the Bain report.

But they say this is worse than an offer they rejected last year.

Troops will have a "substantial number" of red engines, say ministers

The employers' national executive will discuss the dispute again on Monday.

Earlier, Mr Raynsford said troops had undergone further training since they provided cover during the last fire strike.

And a "substantial number" of modern red engines will be available, he added.

Plans for action in December were suspended to allow extra time for talks.

The FBU is officially campaigning for a fully qualified firefighters' basic wage to rise from �21,500 to �30,000, although they have said they are willing to negotiate in practice.