FIREFIGHTERS unions are warning they will take industrial action if budget savings lead to job cuts in Lancashire.

Lancashire's Fire Authority will hold a crunch meeting on Monday with the aim of setting the budget for next year.

The authority has been authorised to spend just under £40 million but claim an extra £4 million is needed to keep services at current levels.

The authority has drawn up a list of cuts worth £2 million and has been looking at other ways of cost cutting.

Suggestions include the closure of Oswaldtwistle fire station and the axing of retained crews at Accrington, Padiham, Colne and Barnoldswick.

The unions have been asked for their views and have taken part in talks on the cost cutting.

Union bosses have warned if any full-time staff are axed then they will press for a national strike.

A spokesman for the union added: "Any other compulsory redundancies in other areas of uniform staff, including retained, would result in the Lancashire branch seeking permission from the executive council of the Fire Brigades Union to hold a ballot for industrial action."

But the three councils responsible for funding the fire service are calling for cutbacks.

Lancashire County Council, Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council have all written to the authority to say they cannot afford to increase their share of funding.

The reply from Blackburn with Darwen Council called on the fire authority to make reductions of 3.5 per cent in this budget and warned that no extra cash will be available.

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