FIRE chiefs were due to meet with unions today to discuss the threatened £2m cut to fire services in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

The Government has said it will cut the cash from Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority's proposed budget and cap the authority's spending, after it put forward proposals for a 29.4 per cent rise in its share of the forthcoming council tax bills.

But fire authority chairman Richard Udall has warned capping the budget in this way could put lives at risk.

The authority plans to appeal against the Government's decision by the deadline of Wednesday, May 19, if it persists in its actions.

A further meeting is due to be held on Tuesday, May 18, of the 25 members of the fire authority.

"It is an urgent special meeting to decide what action to take in light of this capping order," said Alec Mackie, fire brigade spokesman.

"If the minister is not prepared to reduce the amount of money needed to be cut from the budget - or delay the capping until next year, as he has done with other authorities in the country - then we have until Wednesday, May 19, to appeal.

"So the first thing the fire authority members will decide if to lodge an appeal to the minister."