DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott has vowed to impose a pay settlement on Worcestershire and Herefordshire firefighters to end their bitter industrial dispute.

He was due to publish legislation today after saying it was "unacceptable" to have 19,000 troops ready to cover fire strikes while Britain was at war with Iraq.

"I think the country will find it extraordinary and unacceptable that at a time our troops are being called into action, the Fire Brigade Union continue to act in this irresponsible way," said Mr Prescott.

Today's Bill will give him powers to impose a pay and conditions deal for the fire service and direct its operations.

He took the hardline decision after FBU members defied their executive on Wednesday and rejected a revised deal from employers.

Mr Prescott called for a secret ballot of union members on the employers' deal of a 16 per cent rise over three years linked to modernisation.

The FBU's executive had recommended the deal be accepted and had called off a strike planned for yesterday amid concern over strikes while military action was under way in Iraq.

FBU leader Andy Gilchrist said he thought the offer the best available given the political situation.

Warned

Mr Prescott warned in January that he would legislate to impose a pay settlement if it proved impossible to negotiate one.

"Now that the FBU conference has overturned its executive, I have concluded that the time has come for legislation - particularly given the conflict in the Gulf and the heightened threat of terrorism," he said.

Steve Laugher, secretary for Herefordshire and Worcestershire FBU, was disappointed with the decision.

"It's not a very democratic practice for a Labour Government who say they believe in democracy," he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated there would be no more money on the table from the government to help fund the employers' deal.

Though the current offer would raise firefighters' wages from £21,000 to £25,000 by next year, it would fall well below the FBU's £30,000 target.

The union said there would be no strikes until members had discussed the deal in a recalled national conference on April 15 - removing the threat of further industrial action until April 22.