FIREFIGHTERS in Swindon are poring over the details of the Government's latest pay offer, which union leaders are recommending they accept.

The executive of the Fire Brigade Union decided a pay rise of 16 per cent over two-and-a-half years should be supported.

Next month, union members from across the country will decide whether to bring the nine-month conflict to a close at a recalled national conference.

Meanwhile, union officials in Swindon are consulting members to see if the deal is acceptable.

Union members have twice rejected pay deals - at recalled national conferences in March and April - after their leadership had recommended the offers.

Joe Tray, secretary of the FBU's Wiltshire Branch, said: "Fire-fighters have not got a problem with accepting a 16 per cent rise, it is just the finer details we have to look at.

"The main concern was over the loss of between 5,000 and 10,000 jobs linked to the rise, the loss of fire engines and the reduced service to the public.

"It is fair to say it is early days. It is one of the many offers that have been on the table.

"In the end I am confident we will get a negotiated settlement one way or another which is acceptable to the membership and employers."

Pete Townsend, a member of the FBU and station commander of Swindon Fire Station, said: "It is down to every union member to go back to their branches and look at the small print to see if the deal is acceptable.

"It is not so much about the cash anymore but about the condition of the service.

"This offer of 16 per cent seems like a fair offer to the outside world but we wouldn't get much less on the original pay formula.

"It makes you wonder what all this agonising about going on strike has been about.

"There will definitely be job losses. It is all about making savings so they can afford to pay us the rise.

"Jobs won't directly be under threat, but indirectly because they won't replace someone when they retire.

"That will still mean one less person on the engines and will result in a smaller fire service."

Tam McFarlane, the regional secretary for the FBU, said: "I am approaching this with cautious optimism. We have been here before when the executive recommended a deal and they recalled a conference. That was rejected by the membership, as is their democratic right."