THE future of Moreton Fire Service College is secure after the Government put an end to years of speculation it could close.

The college's operations have been the subject of a long-running Home Office review with announcements much delayed, but speaking in the House of Commons last Friday Home Office Minister Mike O' Brien confirmed the college had a place in national fire training. He said: "The Fire Service College is important and we want to safeguard its work in future."

He added: "I have noted in particular the value fire service interests place on the work of the college and their wish it should continue."

Mr O' Brien went on: "The essential next step is to draw up a clear operational specification of the fire service's future central training requirements. I am asking for this work to be put in hand straight away.

"The work will be done in consultation with the college and fire service and we will use consultants to assist in the task and to ensure it is completed by this autumn."

College managers have welcomed the announcement as an end to their worst fears. Marketing and sales director Julie Tew said: "It is a huge leap forward as far as we are concerned and really the fire college's future is assured in some format. This is the outcome that the college has been looking for."

Chief executive and commandant Terry Glossop said he fully supported the announcement that consultants were being brought in to look at a national fire training strategy. "What should emerge is a clear role for the college in support of the UK fire service and the college's other customers, building on the dramatic improvements in the college's financial performance since 1998/99."

Financial and debt problems have dogged the college since it was made semi-independent in 1992, but its finances have been improved in the past two years, which staff hoped would persuade the Government to keep the college open.

What its future role will be depends on the outcome of the review, but its seems likely that Ministry of Defence fire training will also be brought to Moreton from its current base in Kent, a move which should bring added job security for the college's 250 staff.

News of the Government's announcement was welcomed by Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, although he was critical of the length of time taken over the first review, especially when a second review was now needed.

Mr Clifton-Brown added: "On behalf of all my constituents who work at the fire college, I am delighted they now have a secure future."

The college was set up in 1968 and can provide accommodation for 600 students. It offers training to British and overseas fire officers and a range of courses and consultancy services to industry.

Its facilities include large-scale training mock-ups of rail crashes, oilrig fires, road accidents and shipping disasters.