An MP is calling for a reserve troop of modern fire engines, standing idle in the North-East, to be deployed to save lives during the firefighters' strike.

House of Commons Library figures, produced by the Conservatives, show that there are 27 reserve and training appliances in the North-East and North Yorkshire, which MP Anne McIntosh says could be used to supplement the ageing fleet of Green Goddesses.

"These fire engines are not owned by trade unions," she said. "They were paid for by taxpayers' money to save lives. We should not let outdated views about crossing picket lines harm public safety."

The MP for Vale of York said the reserve appliances should be used to train troops in using modern equipment. "I pay tribute to the troops who are having to provide cover during the firefighters' strike. They must be given access to modern fire-fighting equipment," she added.

North Durham MP Kevan Jones agreed that the modern engines should be deployed. "If they are available and the defence professionals are properly trained to use them I can see no reason why they shouldn't be used."

The library figures reveal that there are 443 reserve appliances around the country, including seven in North Yorkshire, five in County Durham and Darlington, in Cleveland three, Tyne and Wear nine, and Northumberland three.

The non-striking Retained Firefighters Union says soldiers could be trained to use the engines within two weeks. But Steve Gregg, Northern regional organiser with the Fire Brigades Union, dismissed that.

"I think its absolutely pathetic. We train 16 weeks just to enter our jobs. There's no way on God's earth we'd let raw recruits drive our engines.

"There's nothing we can do to stop them using the reserve fleet but at the end of the day it's the professionalism of the people that use them that counts."

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said he believed there were around 100 which could, in practice, be used at the moment. But he said the military were more effective on Green Goddesses.

A Government spokesman said last night there were no immediate plans to train soldiers to use the reserve appliances, though all options were being looked at.

"Contingency arrangements are kept constantly under review. We have taken account of the operational advice that we have received that the system in place is the most effective we can provide."