Firefighters from Bradford were taking part in a mass demonstration over pay in London today as fears grew that the dispute could lead to the first national firefighters' strike for 25 years.

Some 350 members of the Fire Brigade Union in Yorkshire are expected to lobby the Fire Service National Joint Council.

And Bradford Councillor Tony Niland, a member of the West Yorkshire Fire Authority, said he feared it could herald an all-out strike.

"I am extremely concerned and I think there will be a national fire brigade strike. I think the trade unions are entrenched and not prepared to move.

"There is no way the employers can afford to pay the firefighters £30,000 a year although we all wish they could."

Councillor Niland, who is deputy chairman of fire authority's personnel and training committee, added: "I am hoping the fire service doesn't take any form of industrial action - it is the last thing we need in the run up to bonfire night."

Firefighters claim their wage of £21,500 is outdated and the union has passed a resolution calling for £30,000 for professional firefighters and emergency fire control room operators.

If no progress is made the FBU will recall its annual conference on September 12 and ballot over strike action.

Mick Headon, FBU treasurer for Yorkshire, said he expects a coachload of protesters from Bradford will join the demonstration.

"The meeting on Monday is a final opportunity for our national employers to resolve the issue of fire service pay without the Fire Brigades' Union having to recall its annual conference to discuss the issue of national strike action. "As an individual member I think the latest offer from the fire employers is derisory and should be treated with the contempt it deserves."

UK Fire Employers, which represents fire authorities, has proposed a pay formula which would result in an increase of four per cent which it says is among the highest in the public sector this year.

Its spokesman Charles Nolda said the organisation wanted an independent inquiry into modernisation and pay to look for a way forward.

"We do not believe that anyone would wish to strike thereby putting lives in jeopardy, when there is an opportunity for a fair and independent inquiry to resolve this issue. We hope that the FBU will now reconsider and withdraw its threat to strike."