BRITISH troops were once again preparing to cover for striking firefighters last night after union leaders decided to press ahead with a walkout because of continuing deadlock over pay.

Firefighters will walk out for 24 hours at 9am today, with the prospect of longer stoppages in the next few weeks.

The executive of the Fire Brigades Union confirmed the action last night after complaining that preconditions were still being placed on peace talks.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott told the union there was no need for industrial action, which he warned would "achieve nothing".

He told MPs: "It will only make it more difficult to settle this dispute. It is damaging and it poses a danger to public safety."

In County Durham, soldiers from the 40th Regiment will have two standard red engines, eight Green God-- desses and five specialist teams, with cutting equipment and breathing apparatus, as well as retained firefighters.

In Cleveland, there will be no retained firefighters, but there will be seven standard engines and five Green Goddesses manned by crew from the Light Dragoons, and seven specialist teams.

An Army spokesman said forces personnel had participated in further training before today's strike.

In North Yorkshire, a joint operation centre has once again been established at the county's police headquarters in Newby Wiske, with emergency fire and rescue cover being provided around the clock by RAF personnel.

Many of the county's retained fire stations will remain operational, while six Green Goddesses will be stationed at Catterick, Dishforth, Whitby, Harrogate, Leeming and Duncomb Barracks.

Four breathing apparatus crews and one rescue crew will be operating, with red fire engines at Church Fenton, Scarborough and Imphal Barracks, near York.

In Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, soldiers from the 4th Regiment of the Royal Artillery will have five red standard engines, 18 Green Goddesses, 13 specialist teams from the Royal Navy and RAF, and some retained firefighters.