Eight military Green Goddess fire engines will be the only defence against fires in East Sussex if firefighters strike.

A similar number of the green machines, crewed by military personnel, will be available in West Sussex. This compares to about 40 brigade appliances in each county.

The military vehicles will come into use should members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) vote for strike action. The result of their ballot is expected today.

Some small fire stations in Sussex, crewed by retained firefighters, will remain operational but most of these crews will only fight fires in their individual areas.

Fire chiefs admit fire fighting capability will be severely stretched.

Des Prichard, East Sussex Chief Fire Officer, explained emergency contingency plans were in place but he said: "The level and standard of this cover will not match the full cover provided under normal circumstances."

Steve Petch, vice chairman of the FBU in East Sussex, said if industrial action was approved, no strikes would happen before next Friday.

He said: "A strike might be for a couple of hours or for up to eight days. We don't want to strike but this is all we have left."