Call for heat - Fan runs - pressure switch detects fan = OK - opens valve to pilot and ignites it - if pilot hot main gas valve opens. If pilot not hot system shuts off gas.
See these URLs
http://www.howtomendit.com/answers.php?id=26383
and
http://kaijaks.co.uk/blog/nick/2008/02/10/dodgy-old-boiler
Peccavi
November 2008