A LEADING firefighter has been told he must quit the service within three months after a disciplinary hearing over the alleged hoax calls scandal at Horwich fire station.

Three part-time firefighters were called before a hearing following a two year investigation into allegations that retained firemen made hoax 999 calls to boost their wages.

Vinnie Carroll resigned last week blaming work commitments for his decision to leave the Brigade before facing the allegations.

Part-time firefighter Tony Critchley is working abroad at the moment but was cleared in his absence after sending a friend to represent him at the two day hearing, held in the Greater Manchester Fire Service HQ in Swinton.

Leading fireman Malcolm Pye, however, was found guilty of a charge of corrupt or improper practise and told to resign within three months.

The BEN understands the charge relates to a call out to a grass fire at Sheephouse Lane, Rivington, in May last year which was attended by a six strong crew led by Mr Pye. Mr Pye was not available for comment today but Fire Brigade Union chief Bob Pounder said he believed he had been made a 'scapegoat' for problems at Horwich dating back 10 years.

He renewed calls for an investigation and said: "Really it should not have been Malcolm Pye on trial, it should have been the system.

"There will not be any real justice until they look at all the evidence properly rather than the narrow focus on Malcolm Pye.

"I think he has been made a scapegoat and is taking the rap. Malcolm Pye is a metaphor for maladministration at Horwich for over 10 years."

Mr Pye' representative Harry O Byrne called into question the way the hearing was run and said Mr Pye intended to fight the verdict.

He said: "On behalf of Mr Pye I am researching to see if we can bypass the appeals system and go before a judge in court or tribunal to deal with this questionable verdict."

FBU representative Ken Wheeler represented both Mr Carroll and Mr Critchley.

He said: "Mr Carroll resigned because of work commitments -- it had nothing to do with the hearing.

"Mr Critchley is out of the country but I have spoken to his wife and she is over the moon.

"When he gets the letter lifting his suspension it will be huge weight off his shoulders. I am pleased for Tony and I am pleased for his family because at last they will be able to close this chapter and get on with the rest of their lives."

Mr Wheeler did not know if Mr Critchley would be returning to the service but said the Brigade had agreed to arrange retraining.

Police investigated the allegations, but decided to take no further action.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester fire brigade refused to comment today, claiming that the tribunal was "an internal matter".