The man who is leading the UK's firefighters in their quest for higher salaries has spent most of his career on the front line as a fireman.

Andy Gilchrist was 19 years old when he joined the fire service in Bedfordshire, in 1979.

But his career could have gone in a very different direction. Before he chose to be a firefighter he took part in trials to become a professional footballer at Luton Town Football Club.

Equality and racism

Born the son of a Scottish able seaman in Portsmouth in 1960, his mother was a school dinner lady.

The family moved back to his mother's origins in Bedfordshire and Mr Gilchrist attended Bedford Modern School.

In the fire service Mr Gilchrist worked at Luton and Dunstable fire stations and became a leading firefighter.

He describes himself as being extremely proud of his work as a firefighter.

But he was also interested in the union and began to work his way up through the union ranks too.

He became branch secretary of the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU) and represented Luton at the regional office.

He concentrated, in particular, on equality and anti-racist issues.

Loyal to Labour

Nine years ago he became an executive council member.

But it was only after 17 years of fighting fires that he became a full-time union official.

In June 2000, he was elected general secretary, replacing Ken Cameron.

Andy Gilchrist, who is married with a 10-year-old son and six-year-old daughter, is one of the new intake of left-wing union leaders.

Warned against complacency

But unlike his counterparts in the rail unions, Bob Crow and Mick Rix, he is still a Labour party member.

He has always been committed to safeguarding firefighters' pay.

When he took over as General Secretary he praised his predecessor for helping to defend the firefighters' pay formula and national agreement.

But he warned: "We cannot afford to be complacent."

There are some who see Mr Gilchrist as being driven by far left political convictions.

The photograph of Che Guevara hanging on his office wall has already received a deluge of publicity.