FIRE service chiefs have called on the Government to rethink the merger of Yorkshire's fire control centres.

Yorkshire and Humberside fire authorities yesterday rejected a Government proposal to merge the region's four control centres.

The plans would mean North Yorkshire's control centre at Northallerton closes, along with centres in South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside.

The Government said the merger of the country's 46 control rooms into nine would mean a more efficient service.

Speaking after the meeting of the fire authorities' management board, Nigel Hutchison, the deputy chief fire officer for North Yorkshire, said the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's plan needed more work.

He said: "We support the principle of modernisation within fire service control rooms, but the solution being put forward is not necessarily going to work.

"We need more clarity, particularly on what the operational effect of merging control rooms would be. The last thing we want is for the communities of North Yorkshire and the City of York to get a worse service."

Mick Headon, of the Fire Brigades' Union, welcomed the board's decision.

The union believes the merger would put lives at risk and increase council tax.

He said: "We are happy that the proposal stalled. It is the first step in the fight to have each brigade keep their own control room."

A Government spokesman said: "The new centres will be equipped with advanced technology to ensure accurate location details are accessible to every fire and rescue control operator."