Unions say they will not agree to some Devon firefighters working more than eighty hours a week under a proposed new rota system.

The Devon and Somerset fire authority meets today to decide how to deal with a twenty five per cent cut to its government grant over four years.

They have now agreed to further talks with unions over asking some to work their day shift and then stay on call for a night shift.

But other recommendations such as using smaller fire engines in some areas and charging businesses for repeated false alarms could be implemented.