HAINAULT fire station could close as London Fire Brigade prepares for a possible budget cut.

The station in New North Road joins 30 others in London on a list of stations which could close as the brigade explores options to save up to £50million.

A final decision will be made when London Mayor Boris Johnson announces next year's budget, but a cut is expected.

Woodford fire station in Snakes Lane West, Woodford Green, and Ilford fire station in High Road, Seven Kings, are not included on the list.

Commissioner Ron Dobson said: "Like virtually every other public service, the brigade needs to make savings, but the full extent of those savings is not yet known and therefore there are currently no proposals being made.

"I will not propose anything that would put the lives of Londoners, or fire fighters, at risk.

"It is important that the debate about the future of London’s fire service is based upon facts about the actual amount of savings the brigade needs to make and the proposals that will be published once this is known."

The London Fire Brigades Union has started an online petition to save stations from closure across London.

The petition states: "We demand that the Government holds true to its election pledge that no front line services will be cut and they halt the closure of any London fire station and any job cuts within the London Fire Brigade being imposed by London Mayor Boris Johnson."

So far 1,500 people have signed the petition.

Further details are expected in January.

Any proposals will be subject to a public consultation and a decision on the future of stations is expected in the summer.