FIRE chiefs who are planning to close a part-time station in Hyndburn as part of a multi-million-pound 999 shake-up have been asked to keep it open for another year.

Lancashire Fire Authority wants to operate out of a privately-built new HQ in Hyndburn Road, Church, from January 2003, and close its operation in Oswaldtwistle.

Residents presented councillors with a 1,000-name petition objecting to the closure. And the town's area council has sent a resolution to the fire authority asking for a 12-month reprieve.

Members want to see the new and old stations run side-by-side for a year before a final decision is made.

County fire experts claim the proposal will mean quicker response times to incidents but residents fear it could add time to some journeys because of traffic congestion.

Meanwhile, the 11 part-time crew at Oswaldtwistle have been offered money towards their removal fees if they are prepared to move house to Church to be nearer the new, state-of-the-art facility.

Assistant chief fire officer Paul Richardson, who gave a presentation on the plans to the area council, said: "People are obviously concerned about the impact the proposals will have. However, they will improve 999 response times."

Hyndburn council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "I am very concerned about this. I can't imagine how times can be improved if the fire crews are getting stuck at the Church traffic lights in Hyndburn Road."

Oswaldtwistle councillor Brian Walmsley said: "I think people are understandably concerned."

The new station would be staffed by a part-time crew from Oswaldtwistle and two full-time crews from Accrington.

The Accrington station in Manchester Road would also close under the plan.