Devon and Somerset Fire Control could move to Exeter

A spokesperson said savings would be made, but exact figures were not available at this stage

The Devon and Somerset fire control rooms could merge and be based in Exeter, under plans being considered by the service.

The merger could happen before the lease on the control room in Hestercombe House, in Taunton, is due to expire in October 2012.

A spokesperson said fewer staff would be needed, but no compulsory redundancies would be made.

The consolidation will be discussed at a committee on 29 July.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Peter Smith said: "The current control rooms are in bad need of investment and the ideal and logical solution would be to have one control room."

Plans to run the service from a regional control centre in Taunton were dropped by the government in December.