HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope is urging people to do their bit to stop the number of fire engines based in the borough being cut.

The area is currently served by two full-time pumps and one retained, based at Accrington and two retained based at Great Harwood.

But proposals have been put forward by Lancashire Fire Authority to axe a retained pump from each station.

Under the plans nearby Haslingden Fire Station, which is home to one retained pump, would be closed down.

Fire chiefs says the distribution of fire engines across the county no longer matches current needs, as the area has become less industrial.

Peter Holland, Chief Fire Officer for Lancashire said: "It is clear over the years Lancashire has developed and with it the demographics have changed.

"Historical arrangements and location of stations are no longer always in the most appropriate place according to the risk.

"Therefore emergency cover reviews such as this are needed to ensure we continue to place our resources in the right place according to the needs of the county."

But Mr Pope is urging people to back the borough's firefighters and say no to the plans.

He said: "I was very pleased to meet the retained crew at Accrington and thank them for the work they all do to keep us safe.

"They have already turned out 160 times so far this year which were all times when they were really needed because the full-time crews were already busy. These proposals, worrying though they are are just that - proposals. They are not written in stone and there is the opportunity for us all to have our say about this.

"From this Friday anyone can contribute to a review at Accrington Town Hall or at one of the libraries. We need our firefighters but at the moment they need us to back them.

"I hope as many people as possible will contribute to the review and say that we need our retained crews."

A full consultation is being held until 15 November and a decision is expected to be made by the full Combined Fire Authority in December.