Firefighters at Sellafield have voted to take industrial action, with last-ditch talks planned on Friday.

GMB firefighter members voted two to one to hold a series of 24-hour strikes in July in an ongoing dispute over pay and the grading of the role.

The ballot result was announced last week.

The union will meet Sellafield bosses tomorrow at 1pm in what senior organiser Chris Jukes has called last-ditch talks in an attempt to avert planned strikes.

The union said the dispute had been going on for several years, during which time firefighters had been performing roles above and beyond what they were paid for, including paramedic work.

Mr Jukes said: “GMB’s Sellafield firefighters have reached the end of their tether after years of working above and beyond their paid role.

“We are now at the point of last ditch talks if a strike on the site is to be averted.

"The role firefighters carry out is absolutely essential to the safety of those who work on the Sellafield site and the wider public for miles around.

“Sellafield's firefighters are considered to be among the best in the country, yet this is not reflected in the grading of their pay.

“Quite simply, the firefighters are seeing their terms and conditions go up in flames.

“No one wants to take industrial action, but the unfair application of the job evaluation scheme, has left GMB members with no alternative but to stand up for themselves.

“We urge Sellafield Ltd to get round the table with a decent offer on Friday so we can move forward without the need for strikes.”

A Sellafield Ltd spokesman said: "We are aware of the outcome of the GMB’s ballot for industrial action regarding a dispute over pay levels for firefighters.

"We remain committed to resolving these issues through dialogue, with the next stage of talks planned for June 30.

"The safety and security of the Sellafield site are our overriding priorities. We have arrangements in place to ensure the site remains safe during any industrial action."