WARRINGTON firefighters joined a national rally in London last weekend aimed at raising awareness of the dispute over pay.

And if negotiations, which are taking place this week, fail, the third strike will start at 9am on Monday and continue for eight days.

A coach full of firefighters and other union members travelled to the capital on Saturday morning to march from Cleopatra's Needle to Hyde Park.

Dave Williams, Cheshire secretary for the Fire Brigade Union, FBU, said: "We were all surprised with how well the rally was supported by non-fire service personnel.

"People travelled the length of the country on a bitterly cold day and put themselves out to support us in our cause."

Talks between union chiefs and employers will continue tomorrow, Friday, and over the weekend until a decision is reached over whether firefighters should strike on Monday.