Tom Carroll said the temptation would be there for arsonists, hoaxers and terrorists during the stoppage which starts at 1800GMT on Wednesday.

"I am concerned that people will take advantage of the situation.

"There are groups of people who may do that. I think the temptation will be there because some people will want to see precisely what happens.

Retained crews

"I certainly hope things will go smoothly. But it is the time of year where we get more serious incidents - partly because more people spend more time in their homes."

Mr Carroll was a 22-year-old firefighter who had been in the service for six months when he took part in the 1977 firefighters' strike.

He said: "One difference this time is that there will be more retained fire crews on duty.

"Some crews will not turn out but of the 21 retained crews in Cambridgeshire I expect 17 to be operating.

"So it is not just green fire engines people will see. There are going to be a lot of red ones as well."