FIREFIGHTERS threatening to strike over pay will tomorrow launch a safety campaign on the eve of the anniversary of one of the North-East's biggest blazes.

Fire crews from Cleveland, Durham, North Yorkshire and Humberside tackled an inferno at the BASF site at ICI Wilton, Teesside, on October 9, 1995.

But the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said a blaze on that scale could not be dealt with if firefighters were on strike.

The safety campaign, launched while the union awaits the result of a strike ballot, is intended to warn of the dangers of relying on Green Goddess fire tenders manned by servicemen and women.

Cleveland union chairman Kevin Gelders said: "This is a national safety campaign to pre-warn businesses and industry of the increased risk in the event of us taking strike action, and is aimed to coincide with the eve of the fire at the Wilton ICI plant.

"The FBU has serious doubts as to the outcome of a similar event, if we are forced to take strike action and fire cover is withdrawn by professional firefighters."

FBU members want the average wage increased from £21,531 to £30,000. The result of the ballot is due to be announced on October 18.