Fire brigade union leaders today warned that cuts in North Yorkshire's fire and rescue budget could dangerously overstretch the service.

They fear the reductions in the brigade's £19.5 million budget could affect morale, training, and ultimately the safety of the public.

The county's Fire and Rescue Authority met yesterday to hammer out the service's funding for the coming year.

Chief Fire Officer Eric Clark stopped short of making cuts of £200,000, saying he could not cut back on front-line services.

He said he could find only £50,000 worth of savings, but a sponsorship deal for a further £50,000 could help the hard-pressed emergency service.

Much of the savings will come from cuts in support services, including training and spending on the maintenance of fire stations.

The authority also plans to dip into its pension reserves for another £100,000.

But the firefighters' union said the authority appeared to have no clear financial policy and was only looking to the short term.

"We just cannot go on like this," said John Robinson, branch secretary of the North Yorkshire branch of the Fire Brigades' Union.

"The chief fire officer has left the front-line services alone this time, but there's no saying what will happen in the future.

"If these cuts carry on, lives will be at risk."

Mr Robinson said that all cuts in the fire service budget were detrimental to the service provide by firefighters.

"These cuts affect all stations - and York fire station in particular is in dire need of refurbishment."

Mr Robinson said the cuts had also an effect on morale.

Authority member Coun Kevin Aston defended the budget.

He said: "I'm quite happy that the fire cover will not be altered.

"I am not content with the funding from the Government who don't seem to take into account the size and sparse population of the county."

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