Controversial plans to axe Lancashire's emergency fire control room and replace it with a regional call-handling centre have been condemned by firefighters.

Frontline officers say the Whitehall-backed proposals, which will see Lancashire's Broughton control centre make way for a north west operation at Warrington, Cheshire, will damage the brigade's chances of reaching 999 calls promptly.

Under the scheme, every local control room nationwide would be shut and replaced by one of eight regional call centres.