Fire station's Christmas event off because of cuts

The festive party is usually held in Shrewsbury Fire Station's appliance bay

A fire station has called off its annual Christmas event, because of budget pressures.

The annual celebration in Shrewsbury involves the station opening its appliance bay for carols, a visit from Santa, refreshments and a raffle.

Donations and raffle proceeds from last year's event went to the Fire Fighters Charity and Midlands Air Ambulance.

But a meeting of the county's fire authority heard this year it would not take place for financial reasons, though it would take place every other year in future.

Simon Hardiman, the chief fire officer, said the break would allow the service to look at holding the event in "a more cost-effective way, potentially off a fire station or in a local church or with a local group".

In addition, future events might take place at different locations in the county, instead of at Shrewsbury Fire Station.

Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority members were also told leaders would prepare a report on the impact of possible changes to funding from central government.

Mr Hardiman said during the meeting at Telford Central Fire Station on Wednesday he had been lobbying local MPs about possible reductions in funding that could be announced in December.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.