FIREFIGHTERS across Bolton refused to answer anything other than emergency calls for seven hours -- and threaten to work-to-rule again if attempts to boost their pay do not succeed.

Crews at Bolton Central, Bolton North, Farnworth and Horwich fire stations staged unofficial industrial action from 11am to 6pm yesterday.

They were supporting thousands of firefighters who took to the streets of London to lobby talks over pay.

And they warn that their work to rule, answering fire calls only, would happen again.

Bolton's firemen and women would only attend emergencies, abandoning station chores and leaving paperwork to build up.

They also refused to carry out inspections on commercial properties, be given training, or give community fire safety advice. Bob Pounder, Fire Brigades Union secretary for Greater Manchester, said: "Brigades in Bolton were answering 999 calls only in support of 8,000 firefighters who protested against their pay in London.

"They have gone back to normal working from 6pm yesterday. But that is only for the time being. We are monitoring the national situation."

Union bosses in Greater Manchester say firefighters want a 40 per cent rise to take the pay of a qualified firefighter from £21,500 a year to £30,000.

Howard Western, the union's North-west regional secretary, said: "The unofficial action coincided with the talks in London and it appears there has been much support.

"Many crews responded to emergency calls only, action we believe began at Mossley fire station and spread through the rest of Greater Manchester."

Union officials held talks with employers' leaders in London in a last-ditch attempt to head off the threat of a national strike.

The 90-minute talks broke down after no progress was made and the union will recall its national conference next Thursday at the Piccadilly Hotel in Manchester to discuss industrial action.

Assistant Greater Manchester county fire officer Paul Shrubb said: "There was some sporadic action whereby crews were responding to emergency calls only. Although this did have a minor impact on the day-to-day work routinely carried out stations, at no time was there any danger to the public."

Thousands of firefighters, including dozens from Bolton, are due to attend the conference, which will be shown on a giant screen in the city's Castlefield district.

They will protest against their employer's formal offer of a four per cent pay rise, which firefighters say would leave them lagging behind other workers.

A firefighter from Bolton Central, who asked not to be named, said: "I can see us working-to-rule again if this situation is not resolved. Firefighters want change and want to be regarded as professionals.

"The unofficial action started at one station and spread to others through a series of phone calls. Afterwards, management threatened to cut our pay but we are standing solid on this issue."