YORK councillors have hit out at plans to axe full-time firefighters at Huntington fire station - after more than 1,500 residents have signed a petition against the proposals.

Lib Dem York councillors spoke out about the Conservative Fire, Police and Crime Commissioner's plans at a meeting of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel earlier today.

Cllr Darryl Smalley, councillor for Rawcliffe and Clifton Without, said: “Residents are rightly outraged about these dangerous proposals, which are nothing more than a cut in services for over 30,000 people in the city and many more beyond York.

"This week’s extreme heat and the impact of climate change will only increase the pressures North Yorkshire Fire Service already faces. It’s inconceivable that the PFCC is proposing to cut services just as demand is increasing."

Cllr Keith Aspden, vice-chair of the panel, said York residents and the council were clear in their concerns about the likely delays in fire service response times in the north of the city, if the proposals went ahead. 

“North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service is in a perilous position – without adequate long term funding or reserves, which impacts on the plan to improve facilities and equipment," he said.