FIREFIGHTERS will not desert Basingstoke in a major emergency, a union representative has said.

Firefighter Lud Ramsey, who has been co-ordinating the strike preparations in Basingstoke, told The Gazette he and his colleagues will break the strike if a serious incident occurs.

"If there is something major, firefighters would respond," he said. "It's not in our nature to stand back and it has been very difficult for us to go on strike.

"If we are on the picket line and something comes in and those involved say, 'We need your help', I can't see us not responding, especially if it's something like a road traffic accident where we know they can't cope."

The first 48-hour action is due to start at 9am on Tuesday and is set to be followed by a series of two-day and eight-day strikes.

Firefighters are planning to ask the public for financial support during the strike action by holding collections.

Most of the town's full-time firefighters are expected to strike in the fight for a pay rise from £21,531 to £30,000, but many of the retained staff have indicated they will work.

Royal Navy sailors have been in training to man the two Green Goddesses which will arrive at Basingstoke police station on Monday to provide fire cover.

One Basingstoke firefighter, who did not want to be named, told The Gazette the Green Goddesses would find it difficult to cope with fires in tall buildings like the one which hit the Churchill Plaza in 1991.

The fireman said: "The Green Goddesses do not have enough rescue equipment, and they don't have the specialist firefighters to go with them."

Organisations around Basingstoke have carried out risk assessments and stepped up precautions.

The council is forbidding bonfires at any public events being held during the strike period which require council permission.

Council fire wardens will also be carrying out additional observations and any non-maintenance council work which may involve risk has been suspended.