BOLTON'S former fire chief has been embroiled in desperate efforts to settle a dispute which today led to Essex's third firefighters' strike in five days.

Essex fire chief John Sherrington is former Greater Manchester Fire Service B Division commander and was based in Moor Lane, Bolton, before moving South.

Army Green Goddesses were today again providing fire cover in Essex where the row over spending cuts is already said to have cost £500,000.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union say the £1.5 million cuts will lead to job losses and reduced spending on training, recruitment and equipment.

The union has called two more strikes, on April 29 and May 2, despite a warning from Essex County Council that firefighters will be suspended if they go ahead.

Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire firefighters have called off their threat of strike action over budget cuts - for the time being.

Union officials decided not to go ahead with a strike ballot of more than 600 members.

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