THE region's biggest fire brigade is to build stations under a £26m private finance scheme.

The Government has given approval for the Tyne and Wear service to seek a company to build the facilities, which it will lease back.

The scheme will save the brigade £6m a year but will mean the closure of some stations, 50 fewer firefighters, and the moving of the brigade's headquarters from Newcastle to Washington.

Private finance initiatives have proved controversial in the NHS. Public sector unions claim new hospitals, such as the University Hospital of North Durham, cost far more than if they were built with public money.

There is also concern that firms are making money out of patients by charging them for facilities.

The Tyne and Wear brigade has been missing Government spending targets and is providing the area with the minimum fire cover.

Chief Fire Officer Richard Bull said the scheme would put it back on track.

He said: "We will be building modern fire stations with things like disabled access, better facilities for women firefighters and community fire safety centres."

The Pilgrim Street and West End stations in Newcastle will be amalgamated at Colby Court, in Elswick.

Sunderland's Grindon and Tunstall stations will be brought together on a site at North Moor Lane.

The Gateshead and Swalwell stations will be rebuilt on their sites, and the Washington station will move from Concord to Glover.

The headquarters, above the Pilgrim Street station, will move to a site at the brigade training centre in Washington. The brigade hopes to sell the Pilgrim Street land and invest the money in services.

No one was available for comment at the Fire Brigades Union.