A FATHER-of-three who lost his job at a tissue factory claims he was made redundant because he is a part-time firefighter.

But the managing director of Teral Tissues, Great Harwood, claims the decision was 'nothing personal' and was made along with 18 other redundancies last month after a major contract ended.

Jeff Bridges, 26, of Springfield Road, Great Harwood, was handed a letter from the Waverledge Road firm after being told his job as a machine operator was being axed.

The letter from company director Alison Weir to Mr Bridges states: "Owing to shortage of work and the fact that Jeff is a part-time firefighter, his services will not be required after Friday, January 15."

Jeff has filled in Jobseeker's Allowance forms at the town's Job Centre, but has been told he may not be entitled to benefits because of his earnings as a Great Harwood fireman.

He earns a retainer of £140 a month and also receives call-out and drill charges. But he claims benefits chiefs have only taken into account his December wage, which was more than usual because of the high level of call-outs over Christmas.

Part-time firefighters have recently been under pressure following the Fire Authority's decision to axe a retained crew at Accrington. Jeff said: "I started training as a firefighter in August and my bosses were okay about it. But I get the impression I have been laid off because of the number of call-outs.

"Over Christmas we had four calls in one week and I think it was starting to get to them a bit. I think it was an excuse to get rid of me. I became a firefighter to better myself and it means a lot to me.

"I went back to the Job Centre last week and asked what was going on, because I've got three kids and a wife to support and bills to pay.

"Between December 12 and January 12, I had 35 call-outs. The DSS seem to think it will be the same every month, but I've only had seven this month and my wage will be a lot less."

But Tim Weir, managing director of Teral, said: "The truth is it was irrelevant that Jeff is a firefighter. We had a contract that ran out and had to lay him off in January.

"Jeff did join the brigade while he was in our employment and we were fully supportive. He changed shifts to try to fit in with his brigade work and it did become difficult because he never knew when he would be called out. Unfortunately, we had to let 19 staff go anyway. It's nothing personal against Jeff, we wanted to see him do well.

"If and when we get more contracts we will be looking to recruit and we would always consider offering Jeff another job."

Lancashire Fire Brigades Union chairman Martin Gallagher, said: "We would like employers to be sympathetic to retained firefighters, because it's very important we have cover in small communities."

A Benefits Agency spokesman said retained firefighters are entitled to claim Jobseeker's Allowance, but claims could be refused depending on the number of call-outs each month.

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