STRIKE action by North-East firefighters in protest against plans to share a 999 centre looks increasingly likely.

Emergency services staff are to ballot members about action over the proposed £5m centre, which they say would endanger lives.

The Cleveland Branch of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has held discussions with management to prevent the fire service moving into the Cleveland Police control centre in Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough.

Despite there being plans for a proposed working party, which would consider other information and options, all discussions have broken down.

Kev Gelders, the Cleveland FBU Acting Brigade Secretary said: "I am extremely disappointed that all efforts to avoid industrial action have proven fruitless.

"We feel that the membership have now been left with no other option under the circumstances if they are to safeguard their jobs, conditions and the service we offer to the public."

It looks certain that control room staff will ballot for strike action, while firefighters, who had previously indicated that they too would strike, have yet to be balloted.

Mr Gelders said: "We do not believe the proposal will offer the same services as we have at present. All three emergency services will be on the same computer system, so it is a case of putting all eggs in one basket. If one goes down they all do, which could have serious implications.

"We are taking a moral stance on behalf of the public. We believe that lives will be put at risk if the proposal for the control room goes ahead."