SCOTS firefighters worked normally during a half-day strike by colleagues elsewhere in the UK because Holyrood Ministers have been negotiating a better deal over pension changes.

The Fire Brigades Union in Scotland made clear 12 days ago that progress was sufficient for them to state they would not join any stoppages in the rest of the UK, the first of which happened yesterday.

That involved the Scottish Government going as far as it could in its areas of responsibility, with a pledge that no firefighter would be dismissed over failing fitness.

The fact that these talks continued North of the Bor-der meant a 28-day stay on action, but the proposals will be considered by the union's national executive today, which could yet trigger stoppages in Scotland.

A Government spokesman welcomed that no strike has yet been called in Scotland.