FIRE service bosses planning to close Accrington and Oswaldtwistle fire stations and merge them to into a new Hyndburn fire station say trial runs show response times from the new station could be faster than now.

But critics are still not convinced that the plans are good for the whole of Hyndburn or Oswaldtwistle itself, which will lose its own fire station, manned by retained fire crews, in the changes.

The news came as a 714-signature petition against the moves was handed to Hyndburn Council's scrutiny committee.

Under the plans, a new 'super station' would be built in Church and Oswaldtwistle's station would close.

Crews from Accrington carried out the trial runs last Tuesday at peak times, starting from the proposed new station site up to the Rising Bridge roundabout.

Their response time was seven minutes, when the recommended response time is between eight and ten minutes.

They also achieved response times in the Oswaldtwistle area of four minutes, when recommended times are eight to ten minutes.

Accrington station commander Mick Holmes said the times showed that the proposals would be a benefit to the area, but councillors at a scrutiny meeting gave the news a mixed response.

Coun Brian Roberts, committee vice chairman, said: "I have no objections to them building a new station, and I understand the need for modernisation and the need for improved facilities, but I have a terrible feeling that down the line, if we move Oswaldtwistle to the central station, in two or three years we will close Great Harwood. I don't think the residents of Oswaldtwistle will be happy with this."

Coun Ian Ormerod, Labour leader for Hyndburn borough, said: "I was very encouraged and very pleased. We also heard that no retained firefighter will lose his job. Critically, hopefully, local people will see that it is of benefit to the residents of Oswaldtwistle."

Hyndburn Borough Council leader Coun Peter Britcliffe said: "These plans could have big implications for Baxenden, and they mean the retained service is going at Oswaldtwistle. We think it would be a good idea to run that parallel to the new service for 12 months and then review it.

"We are worried that is this the thin end of the wedge. What is happening in Oswaldtwistle today could happen in Great Harwood tomorrow."

Mr Holmes also said the fire service had offered the retained firefighters at Oswaldtwistle relocation expenses, if they wanted to move house to be nearer the new station, and would cut their required attendance times, so that they could still continue the job.

He added: "I would like to thank the council for allowing us to explain the matter more fully and their courtesy and support. We aim to keep them fully informed on this.

"We are looking forward to our colleagues from Oswaldtwistle coming and joining us. We will be able to offer them better facilities and more centralised training."