HUNDREDS of firefighter jobs are at risk as Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has announced budget cuts of £14.6 million.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) says that lives are at risk because there will be less crews on the frontline.

The plan to cut 253 firefighters’ posts over the next four years will mean the number of fire engines available to respond to emergencies will fall, the service has admitted.

The 20 per cent cut will mean Greater Manchester will be left with just over 1,000 firefighters, which is less than half of what there was 10 years ago.

Gary Keary, secretary of the FBU in Greater Manchester, said: “This is terrible news for firefighters and the public alike.

“Nationally response times to emergency incidents are at their slowest in 20 years.

“Last year Greater Manchester saw an increase in fires, deaths and injuries – a tragic trend that continues.

“Now is the time to be investing in this vital service, not cutting it.

“We urge the service and politicians to think again about these drastic frontline cuts that will undoubtedly lead to lives being lost.”