The service is to be more involved in preventing fires and reorganising the way staff work in the biggest shake-up of the service since the 1930s.

The modernisation programme outlined in a government white paper was one of the controversial changes which sparked strike action among firefighters last year.

But Cumbria County Council said a local draft plan on tackling fire risks would help make communities safer.

'Improved service'

More emphasis will be put on fire prevention, but the force has denied it is about cost cutting, despite planning to remove one fire engine from Workington.

Bernard Dolan, Cumbria's deputy chief fire officer, said no-one would lose their job under the proposals.

He said: "Following the industrial action last year... it means a greater move towards community safety, prevention and reaching out to those most at risk from fire in the community.

"What we have done is put forward proposals for public consultation... reinvesting resources into community safety aimed at preventing fires before they start.

"It is about an improved service for the people living in Cumbria.

"In the last five years, Cumbria fire service has reduced accidental dwelling fires by 22%, we need to do more of that and this is the mechanism by which we can do it."