The Devon brigade says 90% of its budget goes into frontline services

A government minister has told some fire authorities that if their increase for the next financial year is too high, they will be capped.

But Devon Fire and Rescue Service said that could mean �2m in cuts, and �1m from Dorset Fire and Rescue Service.

Local government minister Nick Raynsford, has told fire authorities that any budget increase from April that is not in "low single figures" will mean it will be capped.

I need a minimum amount of money to run this service Bernard Hughes, Devon Fire Authority

Devon Fire Authority said a single figure increase could mean 5% when it needed double that amount.

The Devon brigade said frontline work would be affected by budget problems.

Devon's chief fire officer, Paul Young, said: "Something like 90% of what we spend goes directly into services to the public or supporting them.

"It doesn't take a good deal of working out that any degree of significant reduction inevitably has an effect on those services."

Bernard Hughes, chairman of the Devon Fire Authority, said: "I need a minimum amount of money to run this service and that means going head-to-head with the minister, because not to do it would be irresponsible."

Dave Chappell of the Devon branch of the Fire Brigades' Union said: "This �2m in cuts will be by far the largest cut we've ever seen in the region.

"It will mean station closures, it will mean job losses and a significant loss in services to the public."

There are longer term cost-saving proposals being considered, such as a central control room for all of the region's brigades, which should be in place within three years.