Dorset has withdrawn from hosting the centre

The government wants fire services in Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Avon, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall to be run from one control room.

It says the centre would be "more efficient" as a regional unit.

Council leaders say the government has delayed a decision - but Whitehall has denied there has been any hold up.

Gloucestershire County Councillor Jeremy Hilton told BBC News Online: "We were told that there would be a long list of potential sites by June, and a shortlist by December.

"Now we will be told in January. We are completely in the dark about what they are doing."

A spokeswoman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said: "There is no delay. We have always said a regional control centre would be up and running by 2007.

"An announcement on where it will be, will be made in due course. We have publicly never given a date. The project is on course"

The region's fire services are currently bidding to host the control room, although Dorset has withdrawn its application.

The Fire Brigades Union says the idea is ill-conceived.