FIREFIGHTERS in Preston and South Ribble could be facing half pay after joining unofficial strikes yesterday in protest at the suspension of 19 officers in Salford.

Workers at stations in Preston, Bamber Bridge, Leyland and Fulwood joined the national unofficial action, and were only dealing with 999 calls.

They were warned by deputy chief fire officer Paul Richardson that unless they returned to their full duties -- such as filling in paperwork and carrying out fire prevention duties -- by 3pm they would be put on half pay. But at 7pm last night union chiefs said the stations were fully working as firefighters were awaiting the outcome of a meeting in Salford between union representatives and the employers.

Steve Harman, brigade secretary for the Fire Brigades Union in Lancashire, said: "We cannot endorse illegal industrial action, but we understand the frustrations and the anger of our members and we are working with the employer to resolve this problem."

Firefighters were expecting a pay rise of seven percent in November 2003 after an agreement reached last year, but only 3.5 percent has been paid to firefighters nationally.

On Tuesday, the suspended firefighters in Salford refused to use new equipment until the remaining 3.5 percent, £500, is paid.

Bob Wilkinson, chairman of Lancashire Combined Fire Authority, said: "We cannot accept a situation where firefighters do not fulfil all their duties, I am not sure yet whether staff will have their pay reduced to half pay for the time they were only dealing with 999 calls."

The action comes after the breakdown of the National Fire Service conference, on May 11, where local authorities employing firefighters and the Fire Brigades Union failed to agree on the final phase of the agreement reached last year.