A NEW generation of fire engines will hit the roads of Lancashire for the first time next week.

The first appliance based on a Leyland Trucks chassis will be handed over on Tuesday to County Councillor Bob Clark, chairman of Lancashire's fire services and public protection committee.

The handover, at the Vehicle Application Centre in Leyland, will also be attended by Lancashire's chief fire officer Gordon Russel.

The appliance has been designed by Lancashire Fire Brigade in conjunction with TVAC and Leyland Trucks and is based on the newly-launched Leyland Trucks 55 series truck chassis.

It maintains all the proven features of the old-style vehicles but has incorporated new technology to improve crew safety, reliability and cost-effectiveness.

The new vehicle, due to undergo tests at Leyland Technical Centre and Lancashire fire stations in the next few weeks, is smaller, lighter and more powerful with lower exhaust emissions, a reduced turning circle, more storage space, more accessible equipment and improved warning devices.

County Coun Clark said: "From original idea to finished product this is truly a Lancashire achievement of which we should be justly proud.

"Leyland has a proud history in truck building and we are pleased to be able to use the expertise here to take Lancashire's Fire Brigade into the new millennium.

"Considerable interest in the new design has already been seen both from the UK and European fire services and I am sure orders for the concept will soon be rolling in."

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