Local government employers and the Fire Brigades Union have failed to reach agreement on pay in a move which could lead to fresh industrial unrest.

The FBU and local government employers had been expected to conclude discussions on their long-running pay dispute on Monday.

Both sides had been meeting for further talks with a final agreement thought likely.

The FBU blamed local government minister Nick Raynsford, declaring that he had been "vindictive, dishonourable and deceitful".