The decision by firefighters in Scotland to vote in favour of strike action over pay has sparked a heated exchange between their union and employer.

The Fire Brigades' Union in Scotland (FBU) said the vote illustrated the depth of anger felt by its members.

But the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) said firefighters should be realistic in their pay demands.

The endorsement of strike action came as one fire chief in Scotland said lives would be at risk if a strike went ahead.

We are talking about an emergency service, a life and limb service being withdrawn

Pat Watters Cosla

Of the FBU's 50,000 members, 87% voted in favour of strike action after a ballot on Friday.

Kenny Ross, from the FBU in Scotland, described the vote as "phenomenal".

He hoped employers would see the strength of support for strike action as a signal of firefighters' determination to secure increased pay.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland he said: "Our job has overwhelmingly changed in the past 25 years. We have been undervalued.

"They (employers) do not appear to be listening to what we are trying to tell them that we are professional, skilled workers.

'See sense'

"We don't want to take strike action and hopefully the employers will see sense and come back to the negotiating table to have reasonable talks with us.

But Cosla questioned the wisdom of industrial action.

Its President Pat Watters said the FBU should use the four weeks it had before its first scheduled strike to seek an agreement.

He said: "In 1977 the FBU agreed a formula, one which it protected vehemently up until last year.

"Now if there has been a fallback since last year then I would like to see how that has come to 40%.

"The only way we can get additional cash is to get the results of the review on the table.

"We are talking about an emergency service, a life and limb service being withdrawn. It's not the last kick of the ball - yet."