Firefighters are to start a series of strikes in pursuit of their claim for a 40 per cent wage rise.

Most people have sympathy for these brave workers and believe they are underpaid. But when inflation is running at less than two per cent, their demand could be considered unrealistic.

The employers' offer of 11 per cent over two years was well above inflation, even though it did come hedged with conditions for changes in working practice.

It seems hard to see how employers, or the Government, can afford huge wage rises which would open the flood gates for other public sector workers.

Firefighters could find sympathy for their cause erodes if people lose lives during the forthcoming strikes.

This industrial action is likely to be nasty, lengthy and bitter. The main problem will be how to end it without the firefighters losing face.