FIRE STATION closures and the loss of up to 262 jobs in the Lancashire brigade are under consideration as the county council fights to slash £45 million from next year's budget.

Options for massive cuts in the service are detailed in a report to go before the county fire service and public protection committee on Monday .

The package shows how possible £2.9 million could be saved on the fire service - but warns at the same time that some could mean reductions in the standard of fire cover.

Options are set out in order of least impact, but near the bottom of the list there choices of closing fire stations and cutting back on the number of part-time pumps.

Options affecting East Lancashire include:

Closure of Haslingden and Oswaldtwistle fire stations with the loss of 21 jobs to save £106,000.

A report to councillors warns the Haslingden closure would mean the brigade could not meet minimum standards of fire cover.

Loss of one of the three part-time appliances at Accrington at the cost of 10 jobs and a saving of £32,000.

Councillors will be told this would still allow minimum standards of cover to be met

Loss of one part-time pump at Padiham, Barnoldswick, Great Harwood, Rawtenstall, Bacup and Colne, which currently have two pumps.

£185,000 saved with 33 jobs lost.

Loss of one full-time appliance at Burnley to save £299,000 with 20 job losses.

Loss of a turntable ladder at Burnley to save £175,000 with the loss of 12 jobs.

Councillors are warned the brigade could not meet Home Office guidance response times.

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