FIREFIGHTERS from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service are injured at work at the rate of more than one a week, new figures reveal.

Seventy-five firefighters suffered injuries, with 44 hurt tackling fires or dealing with vehicle collisions.

And 16 spent more than three days off sick for major injuries including fractured bones, burns, amputations, dislocations of hips and knees, loss of sight, electric shocks, burns and poisoning.

Another nine officers were injured during training and 23 needed medical attention following 'routine activities', such as patching up stations, fire engines and hoses.

But the figures from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister also show that the brigade has one of the lowest rates of sick leave in the country.

In total, Hereford and Worcester's 349 firefighters lost 2,948 shifts due to ill-health - 1,527 due to long-term sickness.

The average of 8.4 shifts off sick per person was better than the average of 10.4 for England.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Alec Mackie said: "The public would not believe the amount of measures we have to protect out staff, not just fire fighters but also non-operational staff.

"They would fill several editions of the newly revamped Worcester News.

"We have our own safety team who carry out inspections and do training.

"Our staff do a tremendous amount of training but inevitably somebody is going to get injured."

Earlier this year the Audit Commission warned fire brigades that high levels of ill health were badly damaging performance.

The report, using figures from 2003/4 - the latest available - monitors the operational activities of England and Wales' 50 fire brigades.