BOLTON firefighters could go on strike in support of their Merseyside colleagues.

That is the warning from union bosses in Greater Manchester, who said they would walk out if any employee is sacked for taking industrial action.

They have confirmed crews will not attend emergencies on Merseyside during designated strike days.

Industrial action is now in its fifth day of an eight day strike.

The armed forces are dealing with incidents with Green Goddess fire engines.

Bob Pounder, Fire Brigades Union secretary, said: "We are a national union and if someone is sacked we cannot ignore it and we will have to go out on strike.

"This is a serious dispute and there is a lot of anger about it."

The row surrounds the introduction of the Merseyside Brigade's recruitment and promotion policies. It had plans to bring in a form of direct entry to management positions which would have seen graduates fill posts normally taken by employees who had worked their way up through the brigade.

Chief Fire Officer Malcolm Saunders claimed the move would encourage minority groups to join the service.

The FBU said he had not accepted a decision made through the National Joint Council Dispute Panel.

Mr Pounder said firefighters in Bolton would not travel to Merseyside to attend emergencies because it would not be showing support for their colleagues in Liverpool, despite lives being at risk.

He said: "To enter into that area is akin to strike breaking."

A demonstration is planned in Liverpool city centre this Friday.