FIREFIGHTERS today defended the use of a controversial radio system after claims it was damaging health.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service became the first brigade in the country to use the Airwave digital radio system when it switched over from the analogue system this week.

But Airwave has come in for criticism by the police over health and safety issues.

Lancashire Police was the first force in the country to use the system after it was trialled last year.

And its union, the Lancashire Police Federation, has claimed that the system is plagued with problems, putting officers' health at risk.

Chairman Steve Edwards claims that one of the problems -- a high pitched interference known as spiking -- was becoming so bad that they were keeping a record of incidents which may be referred to the Health and Safety Executive.

David Brindle, project director for Lancashire Constabulary in charge of implementing the Airwave system, admitted there were "teething problems" but insisted the overall use had been a huge success.

He said researchers were looking into the affects of spiking but played down any harmful affects.

And Lancashire fire chiefs also backed the new system.

Assistant chief officer Paul Richardson said: "Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is aware of the on-going debate with regard to the use of this system and of the fact that this debate is not yet fully concluded. Nonetheless, the service is confident that the Airwave system satisfies all existing safety requirements.

"In introducing the new radio system, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service has implemented operating procedures which not only allow the service to take advantage of the benefits of the new radio system but also maintain the health and safety of its workforce.

"We consider health and safety to be of paramount importance."

The benefits of the new system for the emergency services include better reception and better ability to communicate the police, as they are on the same system.

Coupled with the recent introduction of high-tech on-board computers -- known as a Vehicle Mounted Data System (VMDS) -- which the county was the first to have installed, Lancashire is leading the way in fighting fires.

Dave Thompson, radio replacement project manager for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Airwave puts us truly in the realm of the 21st century technology."