WHARFEDALE will be the first to suffer when Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott takes direct control of the fire service, it is feared.

As the latest 48-hour fire strike draws to a close this morning, Sub Officer Chris Clark from Rawdon Fire Station, said that if regulations were forced on the fire service, Wharfedale and Aireborough were likely to suffer.

He also said that he was disappointed by the Deputy Prime Minister's decision to control the fire service.

He said: "If stations close when these measures go through, the people in the Wharfe Valley will be the fist to suffer.

"We are out in the sticks in comparison to the cities and the stations that cover the Wharfe Valley don't do that many calls a year compared to the city stations.

"There are calls for changes to shift patterns and amalgamating areas and I really think we will suffer out here."

Mr Clark said that although nothing was definite, he was worried about the impact ant reduction in services would have in the area.

"Obviously there is nothing in writing but it is a worrying thought, " he told the Wharfedale Observer.

"If legislation can be used against our union, it could be found against others, so I think that unions should work together to combat these problems."

The warning comes after Green Goddesses rolled out to three fires in Otley, Horsforth and Guiseley.

The first fire was at the Argos shop in Boroughgate, Otley, at 7.20pm on Tuesday, January 28.

The fire started when rubbish outside the door to the shop had been set alight.

A skip was set on fire in Guiseley outside the Westside Retail Park at 9.15pm on Tuesday, January 28.

Yesterday morning at 9.49am a car was on fire in Horsforth outside the Boozebusters shop in New Road Side.

Sub Officer Clark said that his colleagues were upset by John Prescott's decision for the Government to take control.

He said: "I think that everybody who I have spoken to is just shocked and disappointed by these tactics and having to fall back on legislation.

"We have always been in a position where we have wanted to negotiate but we can't because the conditions are already laid down on the table before the negotiations have taken place.

"I think that everybody is now down in the dumps for want of a better phrase but I am sure that we will not give up now."

Trade union leaders were yesterday due to hold talks about the dispute after the government announced the plans to impose a pay deal.

Talks between the union and local government employers at the conciliation service ACAS broke down last week.

Mr Prescott is preparing to reactivate the Fire Services Act of 1947, repealed in 1959, which will allow the government to specify pay, terms and conditions.

The firefighters are due to start another 48-hour strike on Saturday.

l What do you think about the latest moves in the fire strike? Do you support the stance at Rawdon? Write to Editor Mel Vasey, Letter Page, Wharfedale Observer, 9 Orchard Gate, Otley LS21 3NX or alternatively email mel.v@ilkley.newsquest.co.uk.