COUNCILLORS are optimistic York's central fire station can be saved after raising fears for its future with fire chiefs.

Members of the city council's Labour group say they are concerned about how firefighters' ability to tackle emergencies in the centre of York would be affected if their base in Clifford Street was sold off.

The group's leader, David Scott, and fellow Labour councillors met chief fire officer Nigel Hutchinson to discuss what may happen to the station, which, despite a brace of major refits several years ago, is now outdated and no longer fit for purpose.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service is reviewing its property portfolio, and one of the areas it is looking at is whether to retain and upgrade the Clifford Street station - which is on a prime city centre site - or move to a new base on the outskirts of the city.

Coun Scott said he was confident a city centre fire station could be retained as part of any possible shake-up of the service in York.

"It was a constructive meeting and we are happy that the chief fire officer has listened to us and will continue to listen to us," he said.

"No decision has been taken yet, but the fire service has to look at every option and it is right to do that, if only to rule certain things out.

"Our concern is that if the station was to move out of the city centre, that area would not be as well-protected as it is now, which would be worrying in terms both of people's lives and York's great medieval buildings, as well as its high density of hotels and tourist venues.

"Mr Hutchinson has said he wants to meet us again, and I'm optimistic we can play an active role in ensuring the right decision is taken for the people of York."

The service says the main reason for looking at its operation in the city is to meet the needs of the growing number of communities around York, and because it needs improved training facilities, plus better access for groups who come to it for safety advice.

It is looking at whether replacing the city centre station with a new building in the south of York would allow firefighters to do their job more effectively.

Its local group manager, Graham Buckle, has cited the Derwenthorpe housing scheme in Osbaldwick, the expansion of the University of York, river rescues and road accidents on the A19 and A64 as examples of growing pressures on the service to the south of York.