Each brigade currently has its own control centre

They were told it did not meet minimum standards required by the government.

When operational, the new centre will deal with 999 calls from Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Avon, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

The Fire Brigades Union have opposed the move, saying it means operators will not have local knowledge.

But the government says added resources and technology in fewer control rooms will improve the service's response times.

They say local knowledge plays a very minor role in control rooms.