NATIONAL strikes by underpaid firefighters were postponed today following an improved wage offer from fire service bosses.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the proposal – 7 per cent backdated to July 2022 and another 5 per cent from this summer –  is “testament to the power of collective action.”

The offer came during crisis talks on Wednesday, prompted by a massive 88 per cent of the union’s firefighter and control room staff across Britain backing walkouts on a 73 per cent turnout in last month’s ballot.