FIREFIGHTERS in Merseyside have claimed victory after local authorities agreed to reverse funding cuts and axe plans that would have removed night-time cover at two stations.

A meeting between Fire Brigades Union (FBU) representatives and the Mersey Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) has resulted in plans to improve, rather than cut, the area’s current fire services.

They agreed that the number of active fire engines in Merseyside would increase from 26 to 30, and that the authority would accept the recruitment of 20 extra firefighters to take the total to 642.