Firefighters voted to end their pay dispute with the Government yesterday amid internal wrangling and accusations their leaders had let them down.

Fire Brigades Union delegates met at a special meeting in Glasgow and voted three to one to accept an offer of 16 per cent, with new conditions.

Firefighters had been pushing for a 40 per cent rise, but the Government and employers said any significant pay increases would have to come from savings through modernization of the fire service.

Amongst those who voted against accepting the offer were union representatives from the London Fire Brigade.

Opponents of the deal said it would lead to job losses and station closures.

FBU General Secretary Andy Gilchrist said it was a decent deal and it would be impossible to prolong the dispute.

Mr Gilchrist is likely to face a challenge to his leadership, after some union officials accused him of a ‘sell-out’ over the new pay deal.

Firefighters walked off the job in November and January, forcing the Government to draft in armed services personnel as emergency cover.