NUMBERS of firefighters at a Barnsley station are to be slashed by half in a move which will save the South Yorkshire brigade £400,000 a year – but they have assured residents there will be no change to the quality of service.

There are currently 28 firefighters based at Tankersley, to provide round-the-clock cover but from the autumn new working arrangements are to be introduced which will reduce that number to 14.

Bosses say emergency cover will be maintained because they will effectively live on the station for periods of up to four days.

They won't be officially on duty at night and will have personal accommodation but will be available to respond to 999 calls.

Their wages will go up 30 per cent to compensate but even after that cost the system will save South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service £400,000 per year, helping towards the continued savings bosses have to make to compensate for cuts in the cash they get from the government.

** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated August 14. **