FIREFIGHTERS in Newton could be balloted over strike action if talks with fire chiefs are unsuccessful, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has warned.

Merseyside Fire Service wants to make £3m of savings through cutbacks including 120 job losses. The FBU has commissioned accountants to come up with alternative measures.

Les Skarratts, FBU Merseyside branch secretary, said: "We believe there are other ways we can do this without affecting jobs at a time when staffing is critically low anyway."

He said firefighters did not want to strike, but many felt it would be the only option to safeguard the future of the service.