23 July 2012 Last updated at 06:09 ET

Essex firefighters cancel Olympic biking event strikes

Two strike dates coinciding with the London 2012 mountain biking event have been called off by Essex firefighters.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) announced new dates for industrial action last week.

The union had planned action on 11 and 12 August, which were the dates of the mountain biking at Hadleigh Farm in Essex.

This action has now been cancelled by the FBU amid concerns it could cause "some confusion to 999 services".

'Ever-hopeful'

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said the action had been called off after the union received "sensitive information" about fire service planning for the biking event.

"The other industrial action short of strike and the other short periods of strike action announced last week remain in place but I remain ever-hopeful that a breakthrough in negotiations will come sooner," said Mr Wrack.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said it "welcomed" the FBU's decision.

On Friday night, Essex FBU members will be attending 999 calls only.

Strikes planned for Thursday, the night of 11 August, 5 September and 18 October remain in place.