West Yorkshire's fire chief today attempted to allay fears over job cuts ahead of a "critical" meeting of union members.

Phil Toase, pictured, claimed the brigade had already been streamlined and was ahead of others on the modernisation schedule.

Firefighters across the Bradford district have staged a series of walkouts in a bid to secure a £30,000 wage while an independent pay report - The Bain review - recommended sweeping changes to working practices in return for a two-year wage rise worth 11 per cent.

Mr Toase, who said he felt more optimistic a settlement could be reached than when industrial action began, said more than 300 jobs had been shed in the last 12 years.

"Our starting point in those terms is very different to people who haven't carried out the savings we have done," he said.

"In West Yorkshire we have already carried out a number of aspects on the modernisation agenda and already use defibrillators.

"In 1990 we had 2,000 full-time firefighters in West Yorkshire and we have now got 1,698 full-time firefighters."

FBU members will meet in London tomorrow for the first time this year to discuss the issues surrounding the dispute before talks next week with ACAS and employers.

They will consider a clause in the Local Government Bill which they claim would remove the responsibility of fire authorities to consult local communities before cutting staff, tenders or fire stations.

Fire employers insisted the new legislation did not affect the duty of fire officers to consult the public and accused the union of scare-mongering.

But Sean Cahill, secretary of West Yorkshire Fire Brigade Union, who will attend the national meeting, said they would fight any proposals which stopped the public having a say. He added the FBU was not against modernisation but the "streamlining" proposals in the Bain report were so far-reaching all brigades would be affected.

Reports have suggested a new pay deal to be tabled would include an 11 per cent rise linked heavily to modernisation, as recommended in the Bain review.

Mr Cahill said they had received no new offer and the resolve of firefighters to continue with the planned 48-hour strikes on January 28 and February 1 was still strong.

"The feeling is still that we want a professional wage for a professional job," he said.

"In the event of chemical and biological attack they are talking about mass decontamination with the fire service at the forefront of the operation which is even more responsibility."