The Fire Brigades Union is to reconsider its links with the Labour Party.

Speaking ahead of the TUC annual conference next week, FBU general secretary Andy Gilchrist claimed he was under increasing pressure to ballot members on the issue of disaffiliation, after the row with the government over pay earlier this year.

"There will be some hefty calls for disaffiliation and the executive will have to decide how to approach the issue," he said.

Fire fighters eventually won a 16 per cent pay increase over two and a half years, after lengthy industrial action.

However, the deal is linked to considerable reforms in the fire service on shift patterns and deployment.

Gilchrist's comments reflect growing disquiet in the trade union movement.

In July incoming TGWU general secretary Tony Woodley urged his colleagues to remain loyal to Labour, claiming the days of "New Labour" under Tony Blair were numbered.

But he has expressed an interest in opening a debate on his union's funding of the party.

However, only the small broadcasting union Bectu has set a date for balloting its members on disaffiliation.

Their poll will be held later this month to cause maximum political effect in the run-up to the Labour Party conference.