91Èȱ¬

Communities in Shropshire could be asked to run their own fire stations.

The idea has emerged as the county's fire and rescue service looks to make cuts of about £3m over the next four years.

Chief Fire Officer Paul Raymond said staff were being consulted over how to save money, and a public consultation would take place over the summer.

Other options included voluntary groups delivering smoke alarms and issuing fire prevention advice.

Mr Raymond told 91Èȱ¬ Shropshire every area of the brigade was under scrutiny to see where savings could be made.

"We have to look at every single part of the service we deliver and see whether there's another way of delivering it," he said.

"The public will still see red fire engines and still get a fire service when they dial 999, but it may be delivered in a very different way."

Mr Raymond said the fire service currently cost households in the county the equivalent of £1.60 a week.

But the government had indicated that as well as a reduction in 91Èȱ¬ Office grants there would be a freeze for two years on council tax.

Another option would be to follow the European model where people pay extra on top of the council tax.