FIREFIGHTERS in Suffolk are ready to go back on the picket lines if fire strikes resume next week.The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has called another 24-hour strike, starting at 9am on Tuesday, and two more 48-hour strikes the following week.

FIREFIGHTERS in Suffolk are ready to go back on the picket lines if fire strikes resume next week.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has called another 24-hour strike, starting at 9am on Tuesday, and two more 48-hour strikes the following week.

Suffolk FBU secretary Paul Woolstenholmes said his members in the county were ready to strike again after the failure of talks with local authority employers.

"The union has done all it can to try to avoid this action. We've been prepared to negotiate and we've called off industrial action.

"But the employers have turned round and just said we have to accept the Bain report – they won't negotiate with us," he said.

"Firefighters in Suffolk are angry and frustrated over the situation and are quite prepared to take further action.

"In fact more firefighters from part-time stations have been asking to join the FBU because they recognise we are the only people who will fight for the industry," he said.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Defence is preparing to move Green Goddess fire appliances back into the county if the strikes go ahead.

At present they are being prepared at army premises outside the county – but they will be moved back into position the day before the next strike is due to start.

Ipswich's Green Goddesses will be once again based at the Territorial Army centre in Yarmouth Road.