Fire authority officials have approved plans to withdraw night-time service at Windsor fire station. Slough fire station would instead provide cover.

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has applied for a judicial review and has written to the Queen, whose Windsor home was badly damaged by fire in 1992.

Fire chiefs said the Royal Household had raised no objections to the plans.

Royal Berkshire Fire Authority agreed plans earlier in 2007 to stop manning Windsor fire station between 2000 BST and 0800 BST.

'Unfortunate' action

The council has argued the proposals were was based on historical figures and without a proper assessment of future risks and demands of continuing population increases in Windsor and Slough.

It also claimed the consultation process was defective and unlawful because it did not contain enough information to allow people to give "intelligent consideration" or "intelligent response" to the proposal.

David Burbage, council leader, said: "It is very unfortunate that we have had to resort to the courts to help us overturn the fire authority's decision.

"But we made a firm promise to our Windsor residents to do everything within the council's power to save night-time cover at their local fire station."

Nicole Targett, corporate communications manager for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said fire authority's plans were "part of a county-wide programme to improve levels of fire cover where it is most needed".

"This is a Government requirement whereby all Fire and Rescue Services have to produce plans based upon levels of actual risk to life.