FIREFIGHTERS in Epping Forest could soon go on strike after talks between union officials and bosses in Essex broke down.

Both sides blame each other for the collapse in talks, held to discuss proposed changes to employee conditions.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) say the plans amount to cuts in the service, which will lead to job losses and crews being spread more thinly over Essex.

But Essex Fire and Rescue Service say the proposals are fair and offer guaranteed job security and family-friendly shift patterns.

Chief Fire Officer David Johnson said: "We have made an offer that provides Essex firefighters with guarantees that will keep their conditions amongst the best in the UK.

"I and my management team have worked extremely hard to try and resolve this dispute but every time we offer more, the FBU simply asks for even more and threatens to increase their industrial action if they don't get everything they ask for.

"The FBU negotiators were made fully aware that if this latest offer was not accepted it would be withdrawn. So after hours of negotiation and consultation, we are back where we started.

"Enough is enough and the offer is now off the table."

FBU brigade Essex secretary Keith Flynn said: “I am sure he [Mr Johnson] will realise, when he has given himself time to consider the matter calmly, that union officials have worked hard for a settlement, that the firefighters in his service do not want industrial action, and that all it requires is a little mutual respect between him and the men and women in his service, and a settlement can be agreed.

”Contrary to what Mr Johnson says, we have not rejected his offer, and we are not asking for more and more. Mr Johnson needs to take a deep breath and return to the negotiating table.”

The fire service says it is considering training volunteer officers in case a strike does happen.

The FBU will have to ballot members before a strike can take place.