A NORTH-EAST fire and rescue service is on its way to having six new stations and two new buildings completed.

A topping-out ceremony was held yesterday to celebrate reaching the key phase of the project, which is part of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Tyne and Wear Fire and Civil Defence Authority.

The ceremony was held at the Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters in Barmston Mere, Washington.

Tyne and Wear Fire Authority chairman Councillor Peter Young, said: "The construction of community fire stations mirrors the Government's aims of preventing fires and developing fire safety education for every member of the community."

Andrew Sutton, chief executive of Jarvis Accommodation Services, said: "We are proud of the six state-of-the art fire stations, fire and rescue service headquarters and technical services centre."

Chief fire officer Richard Bull said: "Achieving the £32m PPP funding has allowed the Tyne and Wear service to replace eight outdated and poorly located fire stations with six strategically located community fire stations."

The new stations are in Sunderland, Gateshead and Newcastle. The technical services centre is in Gateshead.