SERVICEMEN standing in for striking firefighters in south west Durham were relieved yesterday that their time was not wasted by hoax callers.

Forces personnel received one call during the daylight hours, which was a hoax call to a property in Darlington.

RAF firefighter Corporal Chris Dooley, stationed at Darlington, said: "Last time we were getting loads of hoax calls because of all the publicity.

"This time there has only been one during the day, which is much better.

"The busiest time is during school lunchbreaks and just after school finishes at about 3.30pm."

Crews in Darlington and south Durham were on standby all day but thankfully, nothing happened.

There were only three calls throughout the whole of County Durham during the day, including the hoax call.

The public showed their support for firefighters in St Cuthbert's Way, Darlington, by sounding their horns.

During November's strike, action force personnel on stand-by at Darlington, Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe all received hoax calls.

On two occasions, on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland, a Green Goddess and police officers were called to supposed car fires to be greeted by teenage hoaxers.

A Government spokesman last night said he was pleased that hoax callers seem to have woken up to the potentially disastrous consequences of stretching the workload of the emergency services, and that the novelty had worn off.

He also hoped people had taken on board the safety advice issued to reduce the risk of fires in the home or workplace.

He said: "Early reports during the latest strike action by the fire brigade suggest that there are going to be fewer hoax calls which has to be welcomed."