Firefighters across Sussex returned to their picket lines this morning as the dispute over pay continued into deadlock.

Andy Gilchrist, leader of the Fire Brigades Union, visited the county today to rally his members.

Green Goddesses manned by Royal Navy personnel were again providing fire cover throughout the county as firefighters walked out on the dot of 9am for a 24-hour strike.

Mr Gilchrist visited crews at Crawley before travelling to Brighton to meet the striking firefighters at Preston Circus fire station.

The firefighters want a £30,000 basic wage.

Mr Gilchrist and the executive of the Fire Brigades Union last night decided to go ahead with strike action after complaining that preconditions were still being placed on talks with bosses.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott told the union there was no need for industrial action and it would "achieve nothing".

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

The union plans two 48-hour strikes from January 28 and February 1 and is expected to call further walkouts over the next few months if an improved offer is not made.

Mr Gilchrist arrived at Crawley fire station at 11.30am.

Although all 64 full-time firefighters are on the picket line, some admitted support was waning for the new wave of strikes that started this morning.

The men stand to lose up to £150 for each day they strike. But many said the issue had gone beyond pay and they felt they were striking to maintain the service itself.

Mr Gilchrist said: "Our intention was to be in talks for as long as it takes to get a settlement. But the employers last week gave us a document which stated we had to unreservedly commit to part of it.

"That was unacceptable. We can't agree the outcome before we've started talking."

Station commander Brian Holden said: "Nobody here wants to be on strike. Most people join the service because of their commitment to their community and they want to support that community.

"Ultimately, support of the issue is still there but perhaps people are beginning to question how the dispute is being orchestrated.

"The crews are extremely frustrated with the seeming lack of progress in what is a major issue for everyone.

"You can't underestimate how little the firefighters want to be on strike. In the case of life threatening emergencies crews will be prepared to break the picket, as before, to do what they have to."

After speaking to the fire crews, Mr Gilchrist met union branch leaders from all the local fire stations, including Haywards Heath, to talk in private about a proposed pay deal.