UK - British firefighters have threatened to go on strike after a veteran colleague was fired for being overweight.

"Our members have taken action because they deem that sanction far too severe. The man hasn't committed any crime," Fire Brigades Union branch secretary, Alan Paterson told Reuters.

Paterson adds that 22-year veteran Kevin Ogilvie should have been reassigned to other duties in the support department rather than sacked after he was found to be unfit for operational duties.

The union has decided to hold a ballot for strike action.

Peter Murray, assistant chief fire officer in Aberdeen, said the service would not create a new job for a firefighter who was unfit to put out fires.

"Any individual who has the ability to remain fit and chooses not to, then clearly the fitness policy is designed to protect the organisation and the individual himself," he said.

Neither the employer nor the union would say how much Ogilvie weighs.