Talks aimed at averting a national firefighters strike were adjourned today after another round of ''constructive discussions''.

Leaders of the Fire Brigades' Union spent almost three hours meeting Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in a bid to end the deadlock over their 40 per cent pay demand.

Andy Gilchrist, the union's general secretary, emerged from the talks in Whitehall and said: ''We have had another round of constructive discussions with John Prescott.

''It is now necessary to go away and consider what has been said and report back to our executive and take things from there.''

The talks between Mr Prescott and the union have been adjourned, but the Deputy Prime Minister said he would be available over the weekend for further meetings if necessary.

Mr Gilchrist said there were no plans to meet Mr Prescott again although time was now running out to reach a deal and avert a series of strikes due to start next Tuesday.

Mr Gilchrist said the atmosphere in the talks was ''very civil, very constructive'' and added ''both sides are trying to avoid a strike''.