I FEEL I must write and express my views with regards to the current course of action being taken by the firefighters of this country.

Do the FBU really think that by holding the country to ransom that they are going to endure themselves to the public of the country? Do they think that the Government are going to turn round and say "Oh yes your were right you deserve all you want ... please go back to work and we will give you all you want" ? I don't think so!

Firefighters know the wages and terms and conditions of employment when they join up (and I'm told that for every vacancy in the fire service there are 40 plus applicants ... surely this means that there are plenty of people who would do the job for the current wages) and agree to these when they sign their contract of employment.

While I agree that they should be paid more, I think that 40 per cent is way too much and I do not understand why they turned down what they were offered... it seemed reasonable to me.

Contrary to popular belief, fire fighters do not put their lives at risk every time they go to work, just on a few calls.

From a concerned

citizen of Bolton

(name and address supplied)