FIREFIGHTERS in Bolton are taking legal advice over a decision to dock their pay following their dispute earlier this year.

Greater Manchester fire chief Barry Dixon has decided to impose the brigade's partial performance policy, which says anyone taking unofficial strike action could be sent home without pay.

But Fire Brigades Union chiefs are angry over Mr Dixon's ruling, which will affect 37 Bolton firefighters.

In May, the firefighters refused to work for 10 days with fire engines designed to deal with a terrorist attack or answer 999 calls, because of a pay dispute.

The dispute was only resolved when firefighters agreed to use the new equipment because they believed that a national pay deal breakthrough was imminent.

Local FBU officials have spoken to their union solicitor to see if the fire authority's partial performance policy is illegal.

Dave Darby, a firefighter at Farnworth station, said: "I have spoken to FBU secretary Kevin Brown who has told me about the union's plans to consult their solicitor over the partial performance policy.

"Firefighters in Farnworth are not happy with the way things have been handled. We were under the impression that we would get the money, but now we have been told that we will not be getting paid. We were given assurances that everything would be okay."

County fire chief Mr Dixon said: "It is regrettable that in May of this year I had to enforce the authority's partial performance policy.

"The policy is very clear and the union and those individuals involved were under no illusions that I would be enforcing the policy and the implications that would have.

"The policy has been in place for over 16 months and has been used on a number of occasions."