FIREFIGHTERS in Bolton are to stage a series of strikes over the next two months -- leaving the army's green goddesses to tackle blazes in the town.

The Fire Brigades Union said its members would strike for 48 hours from October 29.

If the pay dispute remains unresolved, they will walk out a further five times before the end of the year.

Crews across Bolton are in support of industrial action which was pushed through with a 87.6 per cent majority.

In total, 83.5pc of FBU members voted. There were 72 spoilt papers and 12.4pc voted "no".

Each station in Bolton has put up posters publicly declaring their reasons for taking strike action. Made by the FBU, they state, "We voted Yes! for £30k."

Firefighters will also hand out leaflets to members of the public visiting stations, explaining their role in the emergency services and why they believe their money should rise.

A firefighter from Bolton Central said: "We don't want firefighters working a 48 hour shift, going home and then back out again to do a second job just to make enough money to live."

The walkouts will leave the army struggling to operate in Bolton -- one of Britain's busiest areas.

The army will station at least two green goddess fire engines at the barracks in Nelson Street, Bolton.

But Bob Pounder, Greater Manchester secretary of the Fire Brigade Union, has warned that the army crews would not only be under-trained, they may also be forced to leave empty buildings to burn.

He said the green goddesses -- the army fire-fighting vehicles -- had a top speed of just 40mph, compared to 70mph for a modern fire engine. The army, he added, would have little local knowledge of streets and would need a police escort.

Firefighters are demand a 39 per cent pay rise, pushing salaries for fully qualified staff to £30,000. Their local authority employers are only prepared to offer four per cent.

After the 48-strike on October 29, there will be two further 48-hour walkouts on November 2 and November 6. Eight-day industrial action will take place November 22, December 4 and December 16.

Strikes will come despite an 11th hour plea by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott for the FBU to postpone the action.

Mr Pounder said: "This action is a last resort but one we all feel we have to make. No firefighter voted 'yes' lightly but they are professional workers who deserve a professional rate of pay."

The strikes will be the first since 1977 when many Bolton firefighters walked out.

Fire Service Minister Nick Raynsford described the decision as "wretched and wrong".

But Andy Gilchrist, FBU General Secretary, said: "This is a phenomenal result and shows the strength of feeling our members have towards winning this dispute."

After the 48-strike on October 29, there will be two further 48-hour walkouts on November 2 and November 6. Eight-day industrial action will take place November 22, December 4 and December 16.