Fire crews work past strike deadline

Green Goddesses took over from county firefighters

Green Goddesses have been sent to a large fire in Leicestershire to relieve fire brigade crews after they went on strike.

The county's fire service handed over to the armed forces crew just before 1000 GMT on Tuesday nearly an hour after the latest fire strike began.

The fire brigade was called to Toons Skip Hire in Ellistown near Coalville at 0600 GMT.

After the handover the crews left to join the picket lines.

The fire is deep within a pile of rubbish

A JCB is being used to dig down to the fire which is deep in a pile of rubbish.

The first of two 48-hour walk-outs began at 0900 GMT on Tuesday and will be followed by a further 48-hour strike on Saturday.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is locked in a dispute with employers over pay and conditions.

FBU General Secretary Andy Gilchrist is due in Leicester on Tuesday afternoon to visit picket lines at the central fire station in the city.