A 12-WEEK consultation will take place later this year into proposed changes to the fire service cover in St Helens which could see the amount of stations cut from three to two.

A report outlining the plans was submitted to the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority at their recent meeting at the end of June.

Under the terms of the proposals two options are under consideration. The first is the merger of St Helens and Millfields fire stations with a new station built on Canal Street in the town centre. The second proposal involves the closure of Millfields in Eccleston while maintaining St Helens fire station on Parr Stocks Road.

Following the conclusion of the consultation, which starts on August 3, a further report will be submitted to the authority detailing the outcomes and any potential implications to how the service will operate.

The fire service say that the plans would save £900,000 a year and cost 22 jobs. They insist savings have to be made in light of further government cuts and claim operating costs of St Helens and Eccleston is £2.1m. The forecast cost of a merged station would be £1.2m, a saving of £0.9m.

Chief fire officer Dan Stephens said: "The consultation will include a newsletter on merseyfire.gov.uk as well as being distributed in the areas affected by the proposals outlining why changes need to be made and details on the impact on fire cover across the St Helens district.

"The consultation will also involve public meetings at locations in Parr, St Helens town centre and Eccleston, a stakeholders' meeting in St Helens, three focus groups and a joint forum. Further information, including the newsletter and the precise meeting dates and locations will be provided when the consultation launches on August 3.

"The proposals are intended to minimise the impact of the ongoing cuts to the authority budget and maintain as fast a response as possible to all parts of St Helens district."