LAST week’s edition of the Courant carried two short reports of incidents which had occurred in and around Haydon Bridge. Both required the attendance of the fire and rescue service.

Haydon Bridge fire crew arrived on site of one of these in under five minutes, followed by two other crews in a further 15 minutes and 20 minutes respectively.

The rapid response of the local crew undoubtedly saved the victim from more serious injuries.

These were two potentially life-threatening incidents in a locality which will lose its highly-respected fire and rescue crew in a few months.

Why did the fire and rescue service management come up with plans that let down their men so badly?

Northumberland County Council is choosing to place our lives at risk in order to build itself new offices.

AVERIL HARRISON,

Plunderheath