A FIRE Brigade union chief fears lives could be lost if Government plans go ahead to cap Hereford and Worcester fire brigade.

Carl Horsburgh, chairman of the county Fire Brigade Union, said if the Government cuts £2m from fire authority spending by capping council tax rises, then lives could be lost.

"Our front line people are the people that ride in our fire engines, and capping means less fire fighters and fire engines. The less fire engines there are means longer attendance time.

"No doubt, it will result in a loss of life eventually."

Leading firefighter Mr Horsburgh feared a loss in jobs would affect almost a third of the brigade's front line services.

He said if the cutbacks go ahead, then the reductions of the brigade's service would affect everyone and the public should fight the proposed capping.

"Ultimately it's the Government's decision on the capping, but the community of Hereford and Worcester should have a voice," he added.

"They're the taxpayers and they should decide the level of service they get in their county.

"People should write to their local MP on this matter."

Last month, Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford labelled the authority's plans for a 29.4 per cent rise in its share of the current council tax bills - the largest increase in the country - as "unacceptable and unnecessary".

If the authority does not reduce the proposed rise, it faces being capped.

In yesterday's Evening News, Councillor Richard Udall, chairman of the authority, said 180 jobs would be axed in Worcestershire and Herefordshire if the capping went ahead - 93 full-time firefighters, 47 retained firefighters, and 40 frontline support staff.