RELATIONS between the Government and striking firefighters reached a new low last night after moves to impose a pay rise were announced.

The move led to claims that ministers were preparing to ban industrial action in the fire service.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said he would introduce legislation in the next few weeks to allow him to specify the pay, terms and conditions of firemen and women.

The tough move was announced only hours after members of the Fire Brigades Union launched a 48-hour strike, again seeing troops provide emergency cover.

FBU general secretary Andy Gilchrist attacked the Government's "bullying tactics" as another example of the "shoddy" treatment of firefighters.

Ian Moore, North-East regional FBU representative, said the union might consider going to the European courts to stop ministers acting without negotiations.

He said: "For the Government to impose a resolution on us without the union's consent is totally heavy-handed."

Firefighters in Darlington, said yesterday they were still backing the union to the hilt.

One said: "Our claim is fair and it is just. We are saddened by the Government's position in this matter. It is totally undemocratic."

Labour MP John McDonnell said ministers were preparing to ban the FBU from taking industrial action in advance of war against Iraq.

"This development has the gravest possible implications for the whole Labour and trade union movement and is a fundamental threat to basic trade union rights," he said.

Mr Prescott acknowledged that the legislation in itself would not end the dispute but he said it was "prudent" to have the powers to use if necessary to help reach a deal.

The new powers would bring a "new and much needed sense of reality" to future negotiations, he told MPs.