More firefighters' strikes are on the cards after the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) rejected the latest pay offer from employers.

No dates have been announced for the stoppages as the FBU has agreed not to strike during the war in Iraq.

There have been five strikes since November, and in each case, Army personnel have covered. The union has now rejected a pay rise of 16% over three years.

Leading firefighter Ian Wadmore chairs the FBU branch at Winchester fire station.

"As I understand it the issue isn't the 16% pay rise but the changes the Government wants to make to our working conditions," he said.

"A lot of people think we're being greedy to turn down 16%, but we're trying to protect the fire service."

The FBU is concerned about plans to alter shift patterns and bring in pre-arranged overtime.

It is also worried about lifting the ban on full-time firefighters moonlighting for retained crews.

The union feels these changes would result in considerable job losses.

Mr Wadmore added: "We have no wish to see the fire service decimated by cuts and vacancies not being filled."