Warwickshire County Council has made contingency plans should fire crews across the country vote for industrial action.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) balloted its members through December and January after a five per cent pay offer was rejected at the start of November. Results are expected in the coming days.

Speaking at the council's latest cabinet meeting, the portfolio holder for fire & rescue and community safety Cllr Andy Crump said: "We are taking steps to reduce the impact on Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service (WFRS) and Warwickshire residents.

"It is highly likely that the ballot will be in favour of strike action. Following that the FBU has to provide us as the fire authority with 14 days notice of any strike action.

"We have a legal duty to provide fire and rescue services at all times including periods of industrial action and we will be providing a robust business continuity plan which will enable us to respond to risk in Warwickshire."

He added that the Home Office had asked that all fire authorities provide a red, amber, green rating regarding availability.

Cllr Crump explained: "It is anticipated that a proportion of Warwickshire fire and rescue staff will not choose to take part in any industrial action. We are rated amber with 25 to 30 per cent availability."

Cllr Jerry Roodhouse asked if the impending strike could see the Army's Green Goddesses being dusted down and brought into action but a report from chief fire officer Ben Brook suggested that was unlikely.

The report said: "National discussions are ongoing about potential use of Military Aid to Civil Authorities (MACA) which would be billed to the relevant Fire and Rescue Service. WFRS has made an assessment of the offer made by the military and has responded indicating the likely support that could be required.

"This includes fire control operators and drivers working within a crew of firefighters. The military are currently unable to provide this support.

"During time of industrial action, WFRS focus will be on providing the best possible level of service to the communities of Warwickshire. Apart from existing arrangements with Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) for service control, WFRS will be unlikely to be able to request any national or local assistance and will be unable to provide any assistance to other fire and rescue services."

Council leader Cllr Izzi Seccombe told cabinet members: "This report is here to provide confidence that this council is aware of the situation and making necessary and required steps to take it forward."