The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister revealed on Wednesday the complex would be based at Willow Farm Business Park, Castle Donington.

It claimed there was a need to modernise control rooms across England. The proposals will close Lincs, Leics, Notts, Derbys and Northants rooms.

The Fire Brigades Union claimed the plans would put the public in danger.

'Criminally irresponsible'

But ODPM Minister Jim Fitzpatrick MP, who has responsibility for fire, said: "There is a compelling need to modernise and rationalise the control rooms in England, as part of the overall modernisation agenda.

"In the post-9/11 world, and in the wake of the events of 7th July, we need control centres that are resilient enough to deal with a terrorist attack or deal with any natural disaster."

FBU president Ruth Winters, however, said: "To do this at any time would be dangerous and irresponsible.

"But to gamble with the efficiency of the fire service at a time when the threat of terrorism makes its efficiency a matter of life and death for all of us is almost criminally irresponsible."

Vast experience

Steve Ainley, vice chairman of the FBU in Nottingham, said union leaders across the region were concerned.

"This will mean less people doing the job while the terrorism threat is at its height," he said.

"I think jobs losses are inevitable under this scheme and it will lead to a loss of vast experience and knowledge of control staff."

Nine new centres will replace the existing 46 control rooms in England.

There will be about 380 job losses, because fewer staff will be needed in the new centres, but the government said it hoped to avoid compulsory redundancies.