A FIRE service is set to make a formal complaint about a Government inspection report branded 'unprofessional and unfair.'

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority is to take the Government to task over the draft report, which it claims contains unprofessional and inaccurate statements that have caused significant damage to the service.

The dispute, which follows an investigation in January this year, centres on judgements made on management style, performance and health and safety.

North Yorkshire's chief fire officer Eric Clark is now expected to write to the Chief Inspector of Fire Services, Graham Meldrum, to complain about the report.

Members of the fire authority say they have major concerns about the way the inspection was carried out. Their efforts to get some statements taken out of the draft report failed and a second report has also been deemed unsatisfactory.

A senior inspector, Peter Morphew, is currently investigating the matter and the Government has said the disputed report will not be published in the meantime.

Mr Clark said: "Many findings and recommendations are not soundly based, have failed to take due account of the individual circumstances of this brigade or to accept variation in performance where this can be justified, and have done nothing to assist this service or help it progress."

He added: "The decision to give notice of a formal complaint is regrettable. This is believed to be particularly so as it will inevitably entrench attitudes and perceptions on both sides, thereby making it difficult to move forward together in the future.

"However, the authority's members feel it is the only option available to them given their concerns which remain with the draft report eight months following the inspection.

"Whilst the authority is taking a responsible attitude to those criticisms in the draft report which it recognises as fair and justifiable, members have questioned the relevance of an inspection report which is published so long after the inspection date."