HAMPSHIRE firefighters, who are not members of the striking Fire Brigades' Union, have been told they don't have to cross picket lines during next week's 48-hour walk-out.

But if they decide not to go to work during the industrial action, which begins next Tuesday, they will have their pay docked for the shifts they don't attend.

Up to 850 of Hampshire's 1,500 firefighters - who are members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) - are set to stage a series of walkouts between now and Christmas over their demand for a 40 per cent pay increase to boost their pay from £21,000 to £30,000.

Now the Daily Echo has learned that non-FBU members, most of whom belong to the non-striking Retained Firefighters Union, have been told they don't have to go to work on strike days if it will trouble their conscience.

FBU Hampshire pay campaign co-ordinator Wayne Parsons said: "It's anticipated that many firefighters will choose to support the action. They have been assured that, at this stage, this will not challenge their contracts.

"But they will be treated like a striker and have their pay and conditions stopped for the period."

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "We don't want a situation where we're appearing to force people across picket lines and go against their conscience.

"Anybody who doesn't feel able to cross a picket line or doesn't want to come into work will be treated sympathetically but will lose their pay."

However firefighters who are not members of the FBU will not be able to join their colleagues on the picket lines - as this will be breaking the law.

"The law of the land doesn't allow one union to strike on behalf of another," added the spokesman.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was due to meet union leaders today in a last-ditch attempt to avoid strike action.

See the review section of this Saturday's Daily Echo for a full run-down of the implications of the firefighters' strike.