But the executive of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has set a new date
for a 48-hour strike on 27 January.

The third walkout was set to last until Christmas Eve, but has been
called off to allow further talks aimed at resolving the pay dispute
to take place.

Local authority employers are due to be at the conciliation service
Acas on Thursday.

FBU General Secretary, Andy Gilchrist, warned at a rally at the
weekend if the government had the "reckless audacity" to intervene in
the dispute again, the strike would go ahead.

It blamed the government for the last strike going ahead because of
its veto of a deal between the local authorities and the FBU.

This which would have meant 16% pay rise with some of the extra money
coming from the taxpayer.

The government said anything over 4% would have to be paid for
through modernisation.

The final conclusions of an independent review of the fire service by
Sir George Bain are due to be published on 16 December.

Further industrial action is planned for January, February and March
of next year.