PROPOSALS to close a fire station have been described as scandalous.

Hainault station in New North Road is among 30 across London which are being considered for closure to cut costs.

Laurence Brightman, treasurer for the London Fire Brigades Union and a firefighter for 29 years, said: "However the brigade dresses it up, these proposals will result in the loss of stations and equipment and will lengthen response times.

"They are putting the public at risk. The proposals are quite frightening.

"These fire stations were built for a reason, to cover areas where the public needed them - the public are still there and so the stations should stay.

"To justify getting rid of them to save money is scandalous.

"It will eventually reach a point where when you call 999 you will be told we can't come out, with a fire you can't have that kind of situation occurring."

So far 1,500 people have signed the petition to save the stations.

Further details are expected in January when Mayor of London Boris Johnson reveals the brigade's budget for the next financial year.