Home Office Fire Inspectors who last year slated North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service today issued a revised, much more encouraging, report.

The Inspectorate revisited the brigade in January and today said: "It is most encouraging to see the amount of progress that has been made since the first inspection visit, and the commitment made by the Fire Authority in providing additional resources to meet identified needs."

The new report comes 12 months after the original damning report was leaked to the Evening Press last March.

This report has never been officially published as the county's fire authority fought for reinspection and to have some of the most critical findings amended.

The original report claimed that an overbearing and threatening management style was leading to staff stress, inefficiency and ill-health. It said that the cumulative effect was to create a "monster" which the authority would find "difficult to slay".

The new report says the service was adequately funded and that fire safety was effective. It adds: "The community fire safety arrangements planned and being put in place should lead to a safer environment in North Yorkshire."

But the report does highlight issues with staff, stating morale among some was lower than in previous years.

It also stated that the service's operational performance was "below average" in comparison with national standards. It adds: "The Fire Authority has made provision to improve confidence levels and attendance times in the coming year."

Speaking on behalf of the Fire Authority, chief fire officer Eric Clark said: "The report is particularly complimentary about the way the Fire Authority is providing the community with a Fire and Rescue Service in spite of ongoing financial constraints.

"This is entirely consistent with the service's exceptional performance during the widespread floods in November 2000 and the tragic rail crash south of Selby that occurred on Wednesday."

Updated: 13:35 Friday, March 02, 2001