FIREFIGHTERS from Bolton are joining with colleagues throughout Greater Manchester today to march in support of their pay claim.

Large numbers of off-duty firefighters are expected to gather in central Manchester for a rally at Castlefield.

The event has been organised by the Fire Brigades Union who are insisting that any settlement over pay reached with employers should come without "strings".

National strike action planned for earlier this week was called off after union bosses and employers met to discuss the pay claim.

But the talks broke up without agreement and now strike action planned for Wednesday next week is scheduled to go ahead.

Fire service employers are insisting that extra pay can only be linked to "modernisation" of the service but this has angered firemen who believe it will adversely affect their conditions of contract.

The Fire Brigades Union is planning a series of strikes before Christmas as part of their battle for a 40 per cent pay rise, taking the basic pay of a firefighter to £30,000 a year.

The Government is drawing up contingency plans to provide some fire cover during the strikes which includes drafting in 19,000 members of the armed forces and 840 Green Goddess engines around the country.