THE Fire Brigades' Union is trying to win the support of Lancashire MPs in a bid to extinguish the effect of government 'propaganda'.

It has produced a detailed 12-page report in which responses are given to key points in Sir George Bain's proposals to modernise the fire service.

Steve Harman, Lancashire secretary of the FBU, said it had been produced to dispel attempts by government ministers to "discredit and demonise" the fire service.

Today, MPs welcomed the report and said it was a "complex" and "valuable" document which would help them lobby ministers.

The report, written by Mr Harman, says:

Modernisation will cost lives by reducing fire cover at night when it is most needed, a view backed by Peter Holland, the chief fire officer for Lancashire.

Claims that firefighters only spend 10 per cent of their time tackling fires do not take into account other emergency incidents or tasks which fill their working day.

The current shift system is "family friendly", unlike Bain's proposals to introduce overtime.

There are 40 applicants for every vacancy in the fire service because people are humanitarian, not because the pay is already good, as Bain implies.

Mr Harman said: "The Bain review makes reference to numerous modernisation issues, many of which are already being carried out in Lancashire, particularly initiatives involving community fire safety."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "This is a complex and valuable document. It gives the other side of the coin for MPs to consider. One thing that clearly comes out of my discussions with the FBU is that the fire service in the county has already substantially modernised and things are different in Lancashire to London.

Burnley MP Peter Pike said: "I am in correspondence with the FBU in Lancashire and with John Prescott. The problems with modernisation in the county are not as great as elsewhere and I am encouraging both sides to compromise."

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice said: "A solution must be found. This document will help keep me informed of local firefighters' views."