Firefighters in Oxfordshire have welcomed the end of the fire dispute, which had led to 15 days of strikes since November.

The row came to an end yesterday, after union leaders accepted a 16 per cent pay deal.

The increase will be introduced over two-and-a-half years in return for modernisation of the service.

Two thirds of Oxfordshire members voted in favour of the deal.

The county's senior officers were unavailable for comment, but FBU branch chairman Barry Stockford said: "The majority of our members are pleased.

"No-one wanted to go on strike in the first place."