Angry East Sussex firefighters look set to vote for strike action after they stormed out of crucial pay talks uttering cries of "Shame on you".

Union members were furious when a motion was passed which they say effectively absolved East Sussex Fire Authority from any responsibility towards the national push for more pay.

The action means firefighters in the county look likely to vote for strike action at a ballot on Friday.

Representatives from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) left the meeting at the East Sussex Fire Brigade headquarters in Upperton Road, Eastbourne.

East Sussex FBU secretary Jim Parrott said today: "Strike action does look likely. I can't speak for all members in East Sussex but I believe the majority of them will be voting for industrial action.

"We have no choice. We feel we have given a reasonable argument. We have gone through all the Government organisations and we just feel they are stalling."

FBU members accused Brighton and Hove councillors, present at the meeting, of blocking Hastings councillor Richard Stevens' proposal to recognise the FBU's claim for higher pay.

Mr Parrott said: "The motion proposed by Coun Richard Stevens was a sensible way forward.

"It accepted our pay claim, but recognised that the Fire Authority could not meet that pay claim without additional funds from central Government."

He added: "The Brighton and Hove Labour group has let down its firefighters but, more importantly, it has let down the public it is meant to serve."

Coun Bob Carden, who represents Portslade North on Brighton and Hove council, defended his group's decision.

He said: "Whether they will strike is down to them.

"The Government will have to do something. We seem to be getting less and less funding and have to demand more and more from the ratepayers.

"We, as a local authority, just can't afford to meet their demands of a 39 per cent pay rise."

If members vote in favour of striking in Friday it will be the first industrial action in the service taken since the Seventies.

At present the starting wage for firefighters is around £17,000, increasing to £21,500 after four years. After 15 years in the brigade a firefighter would receive the maximum pay of £22,400.

A 40 per cent rise would push a qualified firefighter's salary up to £30,000.