A UK fire authority is planning to close three stations and cut 66 firefighters’ jobs because of a budget shortfall of £6.5 million in 2015.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority has agreed to merge a number of stations in St Helens, Knowsley and Wirral, while building a number of new ones in more appropriate locations.

The jobs will go through retirement among the current 850-strong firefighters, subject to consultation with staff.

Dave Hanratty, who chairs the authority, said: “Merseyside has had the worst funding cuts of any fire and rescue service in the country and in 2015/16 we have to find at least another £6.5 million.

“We have reached the point where we cannot continue without reducing the number of stations we operate.

“The Government is indicating the cuts will continue until 2020 so we have to start making plans for structural changes now.”

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