THREE Hyndburn firefighters are to face a misconduct hearing after a row with a former Mayoress.

The astonishing incident occurred when the trio refused to pose with County Councillor Dorothy Westell for what they called a "political photo".

She felt offended by comments made to her and complained to fire bosses.

The photograph in question was to appear in a fire safety publication.

Councillor Westell, who is County Hall’s Champion for Older People and a member of Lancashire Fire Authority, said: "I don’t think I am in a position to say what happened. There was an incident but I cannot comment on it at this time."

Steve Harman, Lancashire secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said he could not comment either because it was subject to an ongoing investigation.

But he did say that the union would be looking into whether firemen are contractually obliged to appear in photographs as part of their daily work.

It is thought that the investigation will continue into the middle of September but that the firemen’s jobs are not under threat.

Lancashire County Council leader Hazel Harding this week defended the Oswaldtwistle councillor’s action in making a complaint

She said: "It was at the request of the service that Councillor Westell agreed to take part in a photograph for a fire service publication to draw attention to free smoke alarms and fire safety checks available to all Lancashire residents.

"It was embarrassing for her when, having arrived in a fire engine, the officers refused to appear in a photograph.

"I have no comment on the choice these men made but if they wanted to refuse to co-operate, the time to do it was when they were given the job by a senior officer."

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the firefighters involved were based at Hyndburn Community Fire Station and that they had not been suspended from their positions

He added: "The service is conducting a disciplinary process in respect of this matter. As always, it is not the service’s policy to comment while the process is underway."