FIRE Service Minister Nick Raynsford was last night branded "criminally irresponsible" by a union leader in a dispute over planned reforms.

Mr Raynsford was visiting the North-East on the day that the Fire and Rescue Services Bill - the first piece of legislation aimed at modernising the fire service in 50 years - was published.

The Bill has been described as a crucial step forward in shifting focus towards a more preventative and risk-based approach.

But firefighters said it was simply "window dressing" cuts to the service and would lead to lives being lost.

Steve Gregg, regional chairman of the Fire Brigades Union, said Mr Raynsford was being "criminally irresponsible" in driving through the changes.

He said: "Every brigade in the North-East will see cuts in the number of firefighters and fewer fire engines being sent to incidents."

"I have no doubt that some firefighters will be injured and perhaps killed as a result of this Bill, and members of the public will be at greater risk."

The Bill requires local authorities to examine procedures that require a number of fire tenders to be sent to a commercial building, even if it is fitted with sprinklers or is unoccupied.

Mr Raynsford said there were no plans to cut response times or equipment.

He said: ''They the FBU are still trying to defend old-fashioned practices rather than embrace a new service that will save more lives and will offer more prospects for firefighters.''

A further concern for firefighters is that a number of brigades are already facing budget shortfalls as a result of Government funding changes that limit contributions from council tax.

The Northern Echo has revealed how the fire authority in County Durham and Darlington is facing a likely budget shortfall for 2004/2005 of almost £16m amid warnings that it may not be able to meet its statutory duties.

Mr Raynsford met senior Durham county councillors during his visit to the North-East yesterday, but a spokesman for the council said that fire service funding was not on the agenda.