LAUNCESTON’S Cornwall councillors have praised the town’s firefighters for keeping residents and businesses safe after a series of call outs.

Liberal Democrat Cllrs Jade Farrington, who represents Launceston South, and Adam Paynter, Launceston North and North Petherwin, caught up with local firefighters to watch them train and listen to their views on issues affecting the service.

Cllr Farrington said: “We’re extremely lucky to have such a dedicated and skilled team protecting our town and it was really useful to hear directly from them about what’s working well and what could be improved.

“As well as the big fire at Newport Industrial Estate they’re being called out to a lot of traffic collisions. We certainly support their calls for people to drive according to the conditions, particularly with such poor weather at the moment.”

Cornwall Council runs Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, and councillors have been fighting to protect it from Central Government cuts that have seen almost £200-million removed from the authority’s budget.

Cllr Paynter, who is also Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for resources, said: “In the next year alone we have to cut £40-million from our budget due to George Osborne’s reductions in funding for the council.

“These reductions in funding are set to continue until 2020.

“Tory cuts will adversely affect services in Cornwall but the council strives to ensure the most vulnerable are protected.”