Fire brigade workers in West Sussex are threatening industrial action after a seven-months pregnant colleague was sacked for being ill.

The 38-year-old woman, on the fire control staff at West Sussex Fire Brigade, was dismissed after being on sick leave for ten months.

The Fire Brigades Union has taken up her case and is demanding her immediate reinstatement.

Executive council member Ernie Thornton said: "If West Sussex Fire Brigade does not reinstate this member forthwith, then we have a very serious issue before us.

"The FBU has a long and proud history of defending its members' rights and we will not stand by and see management treat our members in this disgraceful way.

"The onus is very much on the fire authority to get back to the negotiating table and resolve this matter immediately."

FBU brigade secretary Andy Coulson said: "Failure to re-instate this member will leave us no option other than to formally dispute this matter which will have serious consequences for industrial relations."

The union claims fire chiefs used a procedure to dismiss the woman that had not been discussed with the union.

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said the woman's pregnancy had nothing to do with her dismissal.

He said: "A decision to dismiss a member of the fire control staff was taken recently on grounds of long-term illness. The fact that the employee is pregnant has no relevance to the case.

"The illness is unrelated to her pregnancy and she had been absent from work for a considerable length of time before becoming pregnant.

"Before the decision to dismiss was made all options for maintaining her employment, including eligibility for ill-health retirement, were considered in full consultation with the individual and the county council's occupational health service.

"The county council has every sympathy for any of its staff whose employment comes to an end due to ill health.

"The decision to dismiss was not taken lightly. The matter is currently under internal appeal."