A PUMP from Leigh will back up two new fire stations in Wigan.

The move was announced in a Greater Manchester County Fire Service five year blueprint that will see Wigan's Robin Park Road station phased out as two new ones are built in Standish and Ashton.

It is part of an operational review which redeploys firefighting teams and equipment to deliver value for money changes in fire cover, service delivery and response times.

County fire officer Barry Dixon's report includes the retirement of some obsolete and less used appliances and the movement of firefighters and equipment to cover areas where they are most needed.

Wigan is the biggest station in the county with the largest population yet it has been served by a single station for over 20 years with just two pumps.

In future there will be two new stations with an additional pump from Leigh, which now carries a lower fire risk classification because of industrial changes. There will also be five extra posts.

The proposals, which will save £2m over the next two years, mean 64 fewer posts, but there are no threats to jobs. Individuals will transfer to other areas where they are most needed and uniformed officers in administrative roles will be put back on the pumps.

Mr Dixon said: "We will continue to deliver a first class fire and rescue service to our community."