THE MP for Ellesmere Port has called for a consultation on plans to removes the town's second fire engine to be halted.

Justin Madders, MP fro Ellesmere Port and Neston, made the call after news that Cheshire Fire Authority have extended the deadline for views to April 24.

Mr Madders said: “I have written to Cheshire Fire Authority to ask them to pause the consultation altogether on the draft Integrated Risk Management Plan in light of the current difficulties arising from the coronavirus pandemic.

“I appreciate that a lot of work has gone into the consultation so far, but the public, local organisations and businesses have other priorities at the moment which will prevent them from taking an active part in the process."

“I know that a decade of austerity has hit the fire service hard and that they probably have less engines across the board than is ideal, but Ellesmere Port is a growing town with more and more houses being built, as well as a large industrial base which needs fire cover. "I remain convinced there is a strong case for the retention of two engines in Ellesmere Port and that the people of this town should not be the ones to lose out when it comes to fire safety. This issue needs to be properly considered once the coronavirus pandemic is over.”