Firefighters in Wales have said they see no end to the strike following the prime minister's hard line on the dispute.

Tony Blair warned in a televised address on Monday that no extra money would be available unless paid for by changes in working practices.

The comparisons with other public sector workers is no defence against our pay claim

Sub officer Andy Collis

Over the weekend the military answered more than 160 calls, although the strikers broke their pickets to help with serious incidents.

But picketing firefighters said the prime minister's intervention had done nothing to bring about a settlement.

In Swansea, Station Officer Mike Shepherd said: "We're all very disappointed - he said he was going to intervene - we may thought that would help negotiations but, as is his way, I feel he has said nothing."

Sub officer Andy Collis said: "The comparisons with other public sector workers and the fact that they are also are on low pay is no defence against our current pay claim."

The focus on the tension between the strikers and the government's position came as one police force in Wales highlighted its efforts to crackdown on hoax callers to the military's stand-in fire service.

RAF crews fought a blaze in Swansea

North Wales Police released tapes of malicious calls in an effort to catch hoaxers.

It is making the tapes available for broadcast, even if the caller has been identified.

Deputy Chief Constable Bill Brereton said the force's policy is to crack down on hoax calls made during the fire strike.

He said: "North Wales Police will be robustly following up any hoax calls.

"When we find those responsible they will be prosecuted.

'Name and shame'

"We are releasing these hoax tapes to name and shame these people and if we don't know their names personally then we hope the public will help us identify them."

During the first 48-hour walkout, which began on 13 November, 14 bogus calls were made to north Wales' call centre.

In the first three days of the present fire strike, four hoax calls were made in north Wales and 16 made to control centres across Wales as Green Goddesses were sent to more than 100 genuine fires and several road accidents across the country.

Fast-track

The government has warned that anyone caught making hoax calls will be fast-tracked through the courts.

Hoaxers face up to six months in prison or a fine.

A Green Goddess and an ambulance crew attended a house fire in Neath just before 1130 GMT on Monday morning.

The fire, on the Fairyland estate, was not believed to have caused any casualties.