The Fire Brigades Union has announced that it is to break its links with Labour.

The union backed the move against the advice of the Executive after saying it no longer agreed with the aims and objectives of the government.

The decision effectively ends an 86-year link between the FBU and Labour and will hit the party's bottom line by £50,000 a year.

Many delegates accused the government of betraying working class voters.

The decision follows an intense stand-off between fire fighters and the government during last year's industrial dispute.

It also comes in the wake of an announcement that the union is to ballot members on further industrial action.