DARWEN firefighters want a public meeting so they can explain their fears for the future and reasons for striking.

Amidst strike action and pay talks with local authorities, crews are standing firm against the recommendations of the Bain Report into the reorganisation of the service. The report, if implemented, would 'modernise' the service through cutting overnight cover.

That has created fears that the fire station at Darwen could be manned by a part-time crew or left unmanned overnight.

The cuts would help meet the pay demands of the union who have demanded a 40 per cent increase, although fire employers in Lancashire have pledged to try to find the money elsewhere without affecting services.

Firefighters are urging people interested in their plight to call at the station and express an interest.

Jim Earnshaw, Darwen's Fire Brigade Union representative, said: "We would love to hold a public meeting to talk to the Darwen people about this issue but we need to know how many people are interested in it. We'd like people to come along and see us."

Mr Earnshaw warned that no amount of money was worth human sacrifice.

He said: "We have one full-time engine in Darwen and one retained pump, so it's there when we need it. It goes without saying that most fires do happen during the day but two out of three deaths and rescues occur at night.

"It stands to reason that, through accepting the Bain Report, there will be more deaths and we are not willing to go along with this and risk the lives of Darwen people."

John Taylor, press officer at Fire Service HQ in Preston, said: "At no time has it been discussed that staffing at Darwen should be reduced. There has been no discussion at county hall about Darwen changing its status.

"The Bain Report talks about a new approach to the fire service. We have a very comprehensive emergency response but if you cut costs, it starts to become an impossible dilemma to decide who do we allow to be more at risk by putting the resources somewhere else.

"With a shortfall in emergency cover, someone might be the loser."