Fire brigade workers in Chichester, Crawley and Worthing are taking industrial action following the sacking of a sick colleague.

The 38-year-old control centre worker, who is seven months pregnant, was dismissed after being on sick leave for ten months.

In response, fellow workers at the three West Sussex fire stations will work to rule. They will only answer 999 calls from the start of the evening shift at 5.30pm today.

Stations at Horsham, Shoreham, Bognor, and Horley may follow suit.

One firefighter said: "We will be working to rule until the brigade sees sense and gives the woman her job back.

"She has worked for the brigade for nine years. She has a medical condition and is three weeks away from maternity leave. But she wants her job kept open.

"Control are understaffed as it is and don't need to lose good staff. It seems such a waste of resources. We are not militant but we all feel incredibly strongly about this.

"We want to show our support for our colleague, who we feel has been treated very badly."

The Fire Brigades Union is demanding the reinstatement of the woman.

A spokesman for West Sussex County Council said an internal appeal hearing was scheduled for November 7.