COLCHESTER fire station is set to lose a fifth of its firefighters as part of a shake-up across Essex.

The Cowdray Avenue station, which should have 60 full-time firefighters, is set to lose 12 and its specialist rescue lorry by September next year.

It would mean only two of Colchester’s three engines, including the aerial ladder platform, can be manned at any one time.

Colchester firefighters Andy Haswell and Noel Bush, of the Fire Brigade Union, have launched petitions on Repetition and E Petition, against the move, describing the changes as “extremely dangerous”.

See Monday's Gazette for a special report.