THE Fire Brigades' Union looks set to withdraw its threat of strike action after a fire authority bowed to its demands.

Earlier this month, union members from throughout the Cleveland Brigade voted in favour of holding a strike ballot as the first stage of a possible walkout.

The protest came in the wake of Cleveland Fire Authority's proposal that the brigade's control room should be moved from its Hartlepool headquarters to the police headquarters on Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough.

Union officials, backed by fire officers, argued that relocation under the terms suggested would lead to a reduction in the service - and ultimately the loss of lives.

This week, Andy Gilchrist, the FBU's general secretary, wrote to the authority asking it to agree to suspend the move pending a guarantee that the union's conditions would be adhered to. At yesterday's meeting, it agreed to the request.

A final decision over whether to proceed with the ballot will be taken at a union meeting on Thursday.