PLANS to merge Upton and West Kirby fire stations will be recommended for approval this afternoon.

Mersey Fire Authority are set to give the go-ahead to move both stations to a new unit in Frankby Road, Greasby.

The measures - which will also see stations merged in St Helens and Knowsley – are said to be needed to deliver savings to help balance a budget shortfall of at least £6.5m by 2016.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service chief officer Dan Stephens has made several presentations to Wirral councillors explaining the financial challenges faced by the authority.

He said that if land could not be found in Greasby, the next option would be to consider the outright closure of West Kirby.

Mr Stephens said: "We have had to make savings of £20m up to this point with another £6.5m savings to be made from next April.

"If we had a choice we would not want to merge or close any stations but we have had significant cuts to our budget from central Government to the point where we can no longer afford to keep all of our existing stations open.

The reduction of six stations down to three will see 66 firefighter posts disappear through retirement.

Mark Rowe from the FBU, which represents rank-and-file officers, said: "People in West Kirby pay one of the highest council tax rates in the country, so deserve to have a fire station.

"Closure will impact on the people and businesses in the area. If the station shuts, it is people who will pay the ultimate price "

The Fire Authority meets at 1pm.