A number of Tube stations will be shut if there is a firefighters' strike in the next few weeks, London Underground has announced.

Nineteen stations which are all served by lifts will not open because of safety concerns.

The decision came after a safety review by managers ahead of an expected nationwide walk out by thousands of firefighters in a dispute over pay.

On Friday the Fire Brigades Union will announce the result of a ballot over industrial action which is expected to show huge support for strikes.

A spokeswoman for LU said the company wanted to reassure Tube users that the system would be safe if firefighters took any action.

The Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union has warned that some of its members may take industrial action as they are not happy about the level of fire cover which would operate in the event of a strike.