MAJOR changes to shift patterns at an East Lancashire fire station are the ‘least worst’ solution to budget cuts, unions have said.

But bosses admitted the jury is still out on the new system, which sees firefighters in Rawtenstall sleep at the station even while remaining on call.

Fire chiefs implemented the new shifts this week in a bid to save £400,000 a year at the station.

The so-called Day Crewing Plus system sees a pool of 11 firefighters and three managers work seven 12-hour shifts a month in blocks of up to four days at a time.

In between the shifts, the crews remain in special new accommodation attached to the station, where they are awoken to attend incidents.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service introduced the system, which is also due to be implemented in Darwen, in response to funding cuts.

Steve Harman, of the Fire Brigades Union’s Lancashire office, said: “This is a financial issue.

“Because of the budget reductions, they have identified Rawtenstall as a quiet station where there is an opportunity to make changes.

“We don’t know yet whether it will be a successful shift system but it is the least worst option when it comes to saving money.”

He said concerns remained about workers being on-call for long periods of time.

A fire service spokesman said Rawtenstall station would remain responsible for the area, meaning Rossendale’s cover was unaffected.

He added: “Rawtenstall is one of quietest stations at night. Busy stations like Blackburn and Burnley, for example, will not change.”

Accommodation is currently being built at Darwen fire station and crews are due to switch to Day Crewing Plus in December 2012.