North Wales firefighters are getting on their bikes as part of their campaign for better wages.

They are cycling to council offices throughout the region in an effort to highlight their financial plight to local politicians.

Firefighters route

Llangefni, Anglesey Caernarfon, Gwynedd Conwy Ruthin, Denbighshire Mold, Flintshire Wrexham

The campaign - which starts in Llangefni, Anglesey and finishes in Wrexham on Tuesday - comes two days after a mass demonstration in Swansea.

Thousands of brigade members and their families attended the march on Saturday.

Firefighters want to change the top pay level of their salary from �21,500 to �30,000.

Industrial action could take place in October if the national firefighters' pay body chooses to ignore the claim.

However, if industrial action is voted for, local fire stations across north Wales will be manned by retained firefighters.

The men and women cover more of Wales than any other group in the fire service and crew 60% of fire appliances throughout the UK.

Monday's sponsored ride will take in the six unitary authorities which make up the North Wales Fire Authority.

Firefighters get paid less than the police

All money raised will be split between the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund and Nightingale House hospice in Wrexham.

John Purser, brigade union secretary in north Wales, was convinced the bike ride would get their message across.

"This bike ride is a great idea in that it raises valuable funds for charity and helps us to explain to the public how far firefighters have fallen behind in their pay.

"A number of my members are on state benefits as the wage of a fully qualified firefighter is �21,500."

The union has long wanted to change the way pay rises are awarded.

Financial increases are currently linked to a formula agreed after the only national strike by firefighters - in 1977 - but the union now wants that system replaced.

During the 1977 strike, the Army was brought in, and vehicles dubbed "green goddesses" were used to answer emergency calls for nine weeks.