'Army can't fight fires and go to war'

A senior Army officer warned today: "We can't fight fires and Saddam Hussein at the same time."

The alert came as it emerged that 20,000 troops could man "Green Goddesses" to provide cover if the Fire Brigades Union goes on strike next month.

The officer told the Financial Times: "Having to cover for firefighters is going to take a huge chunk out of our military capability.

"It could have a serious impact on our preparations, affecting the options available and the size of the UK commitment."

The 20,000 men represent more than one in 10 of all British forces personnel.

Services chiefs are to hold a crisis meeting with Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon over the issue.

The temporary firefighters would be made up of around 12,000 soldiers together with a few thousand each from the Navy and Air Force.

The total strength of Britain's Armed Forces now stands at 186,000, less than half what it was a generation ago.

If Britain backs an American-led assault on Iraq, the Government would be expected to dispatch a division of 12,000 to 14,000 troops to the region.

But Army officers fear that if a firefighters' strike is under way, the Ministry of Defence might be able to pledge just one third of that number.

The FBU is pressing its claim for a pay rise of up to 40 per cent, lifting basic pay to £30,000 a year. Employers have offered just four per cent. An attempt by the Government to settle the dispute was dismissed this week by the FBU.