Firefighters' leaders are attending talks aimed at averting a fresh round of strikes.

The Fire Brigades Union announced late on Monday that it was prepared to meet local authority employers at the conciliation service Acas in an attempt to end the pay dispute.

THE NEW STRIKES

21 January: 24 hours 28 January: 48 hours 1 February: 48 hours

If talks fail a 24-hour strike is planned for 21 January followed by two 48-hour strikes at later dates.

But an early resolution is unlikely as employers are expected to confirm a funding formula previously rejected by the FBU.

Modernisation

Councillor Ted George, chairman of the employers' side, said there was fresh hope as long as the two sides were talking.

But he stressed any deal would have to follow the recommendations made by Sir George Bain in his report into the future of the fire service

FBU leader Andy Gilchrist says employers must improve their offer

"It has to be a something for something deal and Bain is an integral part of our agenda," said Mr George.

But Charles Nolda, an employers' organisation official, was more pessimistic.

He said no progress would be made unless the union engaged in discussions about modernising the fire service.

Andy Gilchrist, leader of the FBU said the talks were to seek confirmation of the agreement reached before Christmas.

But if the employers said the offer was no longer on the table the talks would be a "waste of time".

Strikes 'dangerous'

Ahead of the talks Prime Minister Tony Blair attacked plans for strike action by firefighters as "wrong and dangerous".

Speaking at the first of his regular televised press conferences on Monday, he said the Bain reforms were the "only justifiable basis upon which to settle the dispute".

The Local Government Association has said a 16% rise may be possible over three years.

Fire service minister Nick Raynsford has hinted there could be scope for a pay rise of up to 19% over three years, but stressed any rise was reliant on modernisation savings.

Union leaders are against proposals that would see changes to their shift system, the introduction of overtime and reductions in numbers, in exchange for much of any pay rise.