THE organisers of Oxford's biggest fireworks display were forced to spend £350 on a private fire engine because of uncertainty over strike plans by firefighters.

Oxford Round Table booked the private pump two weeks ago amid concern that firefighters would be unavailable to deal with any incidents at the South Park event on October 26.

But last week the Fire Brigades Union announced it would not start industrial action until Tuesday, October 29.

Round Table member Adam Jeffrey said: "It is annoying because the £300 plus VAT will come out of the money we hope to raise for good causes."

Firefighters plan to strike on October 29 and 30 and November 2 and 3, followed by three eight-day strikes up to Christmas Eve.

It has emerged that the anti-strike Retained Firefighters Union has too few members in Oxfordshire to plug the gap when the walkout begins.

The county will instead have to rely on seven Green Goddess fire engines manned by the Army.

The RFU's national spokesman, Tristan Ashby, said only 30 of Oxfordshire's 300 retained firefighters were members of the RFU. It has advised its members to carry on working their own patches as normal, even if it means crossing picket lines.

Barry Stockford, chairman of the FBU's Oxfordshire branch, was dismissive of the RFU, saying most retained staff were members of the FBU.

"If you want a quote, it's 'RF Who?'" he said.

Oxfordshire's deputy chief fire officer John Hurren said he expected there to be picket lines at main fire stations and retained stations where staff continued to work.

Green Goddesses do not carry breathing apparatus, turntable ladders or specialist equipment, although the Royal Navy will be on stand-by with cutting equipment for road accidents.