Take special care on Bonfire Night

Station Officer Mani Gilbert is concerned about safety and says the public should only attend professional, organised displays where first aid is available and staff have been trained to deal with pyrotechnics.

She said: "Amateur bonfires and firework displays can easily get out of control. If that happens this year there's a chance we won't be on hand because of the industrial action."

Fire Brigades Union members in Bexhill voted in favour of the walk-out last week and will strike for 48 hours from 9am on Tuesday October 29 and for a further 48 hours from 9am on November 2. They will also carry out a series of four eight day strikes in November and December.

That means the three appliances and 25 firefighters at Bexhill will be out of action on traditionally one of the busiest weekends of the year.

It will leave just 16 military Green Goddess fire engines to cover the entire county as well as a handful of retained stations which will stay open.

They are campaigning for a pay rise from 21,500 after five years to 30,000 as well as parity of pay for retained firefighters and other brigade staff such as call handlers.

The organised display at Little Common School on Friday October 25 will go ahead as planned

Station Officer Gilbert has been going round to schools in Bexhill this week spreading the safety message and advice leaflets have been delivered to homes and businesses in the town. Anyone who wants safety advice can call into the fire station on Beeching Road or call 212222.