Public opinion in Oxford is divided on the subject of the current eight-day firefighters' strike.

Striking firefighters on the picket line at Banbury

Firefighters at picket lines across Oxfordshire have urged passing motorists to "honk" their horns in support of their strike and have called on the public to back them in their demands for a wage increase to take their salary up to at least £25,000.

The Oxford Mail went out to test public opinion on the strike at the weekend, interviewing a range of people at the West Way shopping parade in Botley, Oxford.

Some believe the firefighters' demand for a 40 per cent pay rise, taking the salary for a fully qualified firefighter to £30,000 a year, should be met without question.

But others think they should have settled for the Government's offer of a staggered 16 per cent increase with a reform in working conditions.

Teacher Steve Dixon, 41, of Botley, said: "They are paid enough in comparison to other professions and their work terms.

"Some teaching staff start on £13,000 and the most they will ever get is £23,000 and they do a public service. Why should the firefighters get more?"

Engineer Martin Law, of Cumnor, said: "They should get some more money but they probably should have accepted the offer they were given.

"My daughter's a graduate and has had her job for four years and still only gets £21,000 so they're not too badly paid when you look at it like that. The whole thing has just been badly handled."

Retired switchboard operator Johanna Roche, 68, of Botley, said: "They shouldn't be striking, it's not the way to resolve these problems.

"Of course they deserve a fair deal but their working conditions aren't that bad. If they get the pay rise they're asking for, what's going to stop other public sector workers jumping on the bandwagon?"

Retired accountant Alan Bath, 64, of Oxford, said: "They can't expect a massive rise. It's ridiculous. Pay rises have to be staggered over the years, they can't just have it all at once."

Retired builder Dave Wate, 67, of Eynsham, said: "They are being unreasonable with their demands. Where do they think the money is going to come from?"

Optician Daniel Timms, 39, of Cumnor, said: "It's a tricky situation because they deserve more money but where's it going to come from at the end of the day?"

Others gave their full support and blamed the Government for intervening in negotiations between local authority employers and union leaders.

Construction worker David Belcher, 23, of West Way, Botley, said: "The money they get now is out of order. They should get the full increase they're asking for because they do a hard job."

Cleanroom operator Susan Lyons, 40, of Botley, said: "They're asking for a bit too much but they do deserve a big rise. They put their lives in danger and need to be recognised for that."

Butcher Luke Fisher, 28, of Headington, said: "They should get the rise they want. They put their lives at risk and there's not many people who would want to do that."

Secretary Lizzie Beard, of Poplar Road, Oxford, said: "They deserve the money more than anyone else because they do such a great job. I've got a cousin who's a firefighter so I know how much hard work and training is involved in their work.

"People don't realise because they don't see them all the time, but they're always there if there's a problem. There's no question, give them the money."

Anne Shepherd, 46, of Corn Street, Witney, said: "They deserve more money and if striking is the only way they can get it, good on them.

"The Government needs to be shown that they mean business and this is the only way to do it. They will have to negotiate a better deal and until they do that I will support the firefighters."

Lawyer Amina Purshal, 41, of Appleton, said: "They have been underpaid for years and it's time for them to get the pay rise they deserve. I don't see the 40 per cent as a huge increase because it will just bring their wages up to the level they should be at."

The Oxfordshire branch of the Fire Brigades Union has insisted that public support is greater than ever.

County FBU secretary Bob Burrell said: "Support has been overwhelming."