ANGRY members of Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority have threatened to resign in protest if the Government presses ahead with plans to cap its budget.

The combined fire authority (CFA), which provides fire services across the two counties, says lives will be lost and jobs cut if the Government imposes a £2m budget cut.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has challenged the brigade's 29.4 per cent rise and could force them to refund ratepayers by an average of £7 per household.

The authority set its budget requirement at £26.7m which would mean an average Band D property-owner would pay council tax of £60.21.

However, the Government says this is excessive - it recommends a levy of £53 for a Band D property - and is now proposing to cap the budget.

At a meeting at Worcester's County Hall yesterday, members voted unanimously to challenge the proposal which they say could lead to jobs being lost and a reduction in services which they claim would threaten lives.

Coun Philip Mould, who worked as a firefighter for 25 years and now serves on the CFA, said he would rather resign from the authority than help administer a reduced budget imposed by the "pig-headed" ODPM.

"After 25 years in the fire service, I took the decision to join the CFA because I wished to make it better - I will not take part in the decimation of it," he said.

"I was at the sharp end of things and these firefighters know we're backing them.

"If the ODPM is pig-headed enough to designate the authority I will resign. I hope you will all follow me and the Government can come in and then they'll be the ones to blame."

Authority chairman, Richard Udall, quickly followed suit and said he would also resign from the CFA if its budget was capped.

"That's my position also. I will resign from the authority and join you. Let the Government do their own dirty work. I'm not doing it for them.

"The Government is playing politics with fire. We will fight this all the way."

He added that if the challenge against the proposal to cap the budget failed, the authority would not rule out seeking a judicial review.

Would you pay more to save firefighters' jobs? Or do you think the Government is right to cap the budget? Tell us your views by writing to: Letters Page, Worcester Evening News, Worcester, WR2 5JX or email: wenletters@thisisworcester.co.uk