January 13, 1978

Striking Redditch firemen were split about 50-50 over whether to accept the latest government pay offer and return to work.

But they say they will bury their personal views and accept any decision from the recalled Fire Brigade Union national conference.

Mr Alan Sprague, secretary of the Redditch branch FBU, said: "Half the Redditch men wanted to stay out and half were in favour of going back to work.

"I think of those voting to accept the latest offer, some thought that this was as much as the Government was going to give us.

"It is probably true that some of them also wanted to go back because they were feeling the pinch financially."