ROUND the clock firefighters at Birchwood fire station may become a thing of the past after fire chiefs said they may review the service.

Cheshire Fire Authority could review whether to keep Birchwood station staffed on a 24-hour shift basis after recent figures showed it has the same kind of workloads than other stations that are only manned during the day.

The authority analysed the type and frequency of incidents that all fire stations across Cheshire had attended as part of the integrated risk management plan (IRMP).

These 'risk factors' included the number of incidents, such as house fires or traffic accidents, it had attended over a set period and to what extent life was at risk in each case.

The statistics show that Birchwood fire station has the same, or lower, 'risk factors' as a number of other stations only manned by day crews and could therefore be downgraded as a result.

The area has a population of 42,000 residents and a large commercial and industrial sector.

There is also a British Red Cross fire victim support unit based at the station.

Birchwood town councillors raised concerns over the possibility of a review of the 24-hour staff provision at last week's council meeting.

Clr Jill Bolton raised the issue after attending a recent meeting of the Oakwood Neighbourhood Association where it was discussed. All members were against the idea.

Clr John Keeney said: "This service is important to residents and to the nearby motorways and it must be maintained."

A spokesman for Cheshire Fire Service confirmed that a review may be considered as part of the next plan, which could be released in a year's time.

There is no suggestion of closing the station.