A FIREFIGHTERS' union boss, suspended from his office-based position for criticising his national leader, could soon find himself back fighting fires.

Bob Pounder, Greater Manchester brigade secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, has been approached by management about retraining as a firefighter.

It is thought likely that that will take place if the union does not rescind his suspension.

Mr Pounder's accused FBU leader Andy Gilchrist of "selling out" by agreeing to talks with conciliation service ACAS over the firefighters' pay dispute.

The criticism led to Mr Pounder being sent home from his Eccles office and facing a disciplinary hearing in London before the FBU's executive council. If the hearing sacks him from his union position, he would have to return to work as a firefighter, a job he did for 18 years before taking up his present post.

Mr Pounder, who is 48, has not worked on a fire engine for six years and would have to undergo three weeks of retraining.

He has accused the FBU of censoring his views. In an open letter to Greater Manchester fire stations, he said in reference to his suspension: "FBU members must make sure that it is rescinded, or are we to have no democratic rights in our union at all?"

Assistant County Fire Officer Paul Shrubb said: "Management are discussing a retraining programme with him and relocation to one of the stations."

The union hearing has been scheduled for February.