FEARS are growing that industrial action by firefighters could once again hit Wharfedale and Aireborough.

An increasingly bitter national dispute over delays to a pay settlement which was agreed last November began this week to spill out across the country.

The renewed problems were fuelled by the suspension of 19 firefighters in Manchester after they refused to use new 'anti-terror' equipment until they had received their pay rise.

That has led to stations across the UK choosing to take unofficial industrial action, including only answering 999 calls, as a show of support.

Yesterday firefighters in Rawdon were due to hold a union meeting to see if they would join the fray, while Ilkley and Cookridge will be holding similar meetings in the next week or so.

The Fire Brigades Union's (FBU) Yorkshire and Humberside branch confirmed this week that it was receiving reports of more and more stations joining the dispute.

Otley Town Councillor and Otley and Yeadon candidate Graham Kirkland, a West Yorkshire Fire Authority Executive Committee member for many years, said: "I think it would be regrettable if we do get more industrial action.

"It appears that the solution is there - they're simply arguing about when they're going to get the money.

"However I agree that it has taken far too long to be paid and I can understand the firefighters' frustration, but you don't declare war just because you don't get an answer.

"I don't think there is a simple mechanism for fixing this but it's high time there was. I'd like to see some form of instant, binding arbitration introduced so relatively simple problems like this could be solved quickly."

Leeds based FBU regional Chairman Malcolm Peel said: "What we are seeing is a groundswell from people on the floor who are particularly angered about the lack of progress nationally and taking things into their own hands.

"We are getting phone calls now from members in various parts of our area, including West and South Yorkshire, saying stations are getting involved and doing some things and not others, for example responding only to 999 calls.

"They are wanting to show support for their colleagues in Manchester while at the same time put pressure on the national bodies to sort out the pay situation.

"But because we haven't held a ballot as yet for industrial action it is difficult to know what is going on, the situation is fluid."