BURY's 180,000 population were being protected from fire by only five firefighters on Wednesday morning.

For several hours, Bury's two engines were sent to man the pumps at Farnworth while their colleagues at Whitefield were on duty in Broughton.

Ramsbottom's single fire team had sole responsibility for the borough in the event of any emergency incidents.

The secondment of crews to neighbouring towns by senior officers followed the suspension of firefighters at Broughton, Farnworth and other stations during the pay dispute.

Station Officer Al Topping, from The Rock station in Bury, said: "The bosses have accused us of putting lives at risk by refusing to use certain equipment.

"Yet they are the ones who have been sending crews home and leaving areas without cover. We have been told to fill the gaps, leaving the entire borough with just one engine. The people of Bury deserve better."

On Wednesday afternoon, members of the Blue Watch crews at all of the borough's fire stations opted to respond to 999 calls only in support of their suspended colleagues, although normal working routines have now resumed.

The dispute could end next week after the Fire Brigades Union's national executive council recommended proposals agreed with the national employers to break the deadlock over the 3.5 per cent pay rise due since last November.

The union will consult its members through regional and brigade committees and the executive council will meet again on Wednesday June 2 and consider the results of the consultation exercise.