FIREfighters across Wiltshire are preparing to go on strike for the first time in more than 20 years.

The National Fire Brigade Union's conference was due to take a decision yesterday on whether to ballot for strike action because they say many cannot afford to live on the wages they are paid.

Leading firefighter Joe Tray, the Wiltshire and Swindon secretary for the fire brigade union, said: "All we are asking for is professional pay for the professional job we do.

"We work 42 hours a week including weekends, nights, bank holidays, Christmas, New Year, and we don't get paid any extra for working those."

The starting wage for a fire fighter is £19,000 a year, the same as a police officer, but after five years of training, exams and studying in their own time this only goes up to £21,500 a year.

There is no way for them to earn any more than that until the long service increment they get after 15 years of service.

They have been offered a rise of four per cent but the union is asking for 40 per cent or they will be recommending strike action.

Mr Tray said: "A 40 per cent rise sounds like a lot, but for the 25 years I have been serving the public I don't think that is unreasonable.

"We have to bear the emotional and physical stress of the job and we think we are worth £30,000 a year. We serve the public well and I think the majority of the public support us."

Last week 80 Wiltshire firefighters joined a national rally at Westminster and those that remained behind answered 999 calls only, to send out a message that they are serious about taking action.

Neil Wright, Wiltshire's chief fire officer, said: "Hopefully it will not come to strike action. We hope there will be time for discussions FBU and employers and the dispute can be resolved."

Many firefighters don't want to strike but feel that they have been left with no other option.

Jan Lisiecki, based in Trowbridge, has been with the Wiltshire brigade for 28 years.

He said: "What we are being forced to do is put our families ahead of our morals. Morally it is wrong for us to strike, but if we can't get a living wage, what are we meant to do?"

If it is decided to ballot for strike action every firefighter will receive a postal voting form and, if they vote for action, the strike could be held in November or December.