MORE than 100 firefighters' jobs could be axed to fill a potential shortfall in the fire service budget worth millions of pounds.

Changes to the way the fire service is funded means County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service could be left with a budget shortfall of about £16m.

Although the Government has yet to confirm the exact figure that it will be given in 2004-2005, it is likely the county's fire service will be awarded £13.5m. But the fire authority estimates it needs £29.2m. To meet the deficit, it will have to raise £15.7m.

The fire authority could raise the funds through council tax. But if the Government insists that local authorities must hold down council tax rises to low single figures, then the only other option, apart from getting a better deal from central government, will be cuts to services.

At a meeting of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority, held yesterday at County Hall, Durham, Chief Fire Officer George Herbert spelt out the options to members.

He said that there were very few back-room, or administrative staff employed by the service, so the cuts would have to be from front-line jobs.

"We have provided Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue with the very best equipment," he said.

"But it means there's little scope for cuts anywhere else other than the front end.

"Up until four years ago they didn't have a personnel department. If you look at the new White Paper, human resources is at the front of changes. That leaves the fire authority badly exposed."

Mr Herbert said at the meeting that he and treasurer Stuart Crowe had roughly calculated that a £3m shortfall would mean 120 posts would go.

The authority has until the middle of next month to decide what to do, before setting its final precept.

A spokesman for the Fire Brigades Union was unavailable last night.

However, last month the union warned of possible action if cuts were introduced.