FIRE cuts affecting public protection cover in Teignbridge will be discussed at a public meeting in Newton Abbot next week.

The gathering at the Rec in Marsh Road on Tuesday evening (7.30pm) will include a speaker from the Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU).

Ashburton’s station is being considered for closure along with seven others in the Devon and Somerset area as part of £8m cutbacks in service.

Teignmouth’s manning response is also being reduced as part of the sweeping proposals, currently the subject of a consultation exercise.

Newton Abbot town councillor Ryan Hall said that ‘all areas’ would be affected if the cuts were executed.

‘What affects Ashburton and Teignmouth will also impact the surrounding areas. Rather than campaigning to save individual services we want to take an overall approach to save services to protect all areas.’