WORCESTER'S fire service HQ could be rented out to a private sector firm - clawing back thousands of extra pounds for taxpayers.

The chairman of the county's fire service has defended plans to relocate staff to West Mercia Police's Hindlip Hall site, saying it will free up more funds to spend on the front line.

Councillor Derek Prodger told your Worcester News the plush HQ in Charles Hastings Way could be rented to a large employer or sold outright to generate a multi-million pound capital receipt.

The Government has awarded the fire service £4 million to merge fire stations in Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport into one site, and close down the headquarters.

Staff will be relocated to a bigger, better Hindlip Hall, which would be extended under the plans.

Cllr Prodger said the Government funds will help draw up detailed plans on both moves, including timescales.

The offices in Charles Hastings Way, right next to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, are ideally located within close proximity to both the M5 and clear routes into the city centre.

The hope is that a blue-chip firm could see it as an ideal regional base.

"The way I see it we need to put our 'blue light' services together, in one place so we can work from one site," said Cllr Prodger.

"It's not about cutting or reducing anything, it's about making sure we're doing all we can for the front line.

"We now need to review what we do with the fire service HQ, it's far too big for us and we need to move out.

"We could rent it out or sell it, but moving to Hindlip is the right move for us."

"We'll be looking at the options for the HQ and a report will be put together soon about what we can do with it."

He also said the senior management would be talking to Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier, who is concerned about the fire station mergers.

The forthcoming exit at Charles Hastings Way comes at the same time as Worcester Fire Station in Copenhagen Street is up for sale.

Back in September last year the fire service secured permission to create a new facility at Great Western Business Park, in Tolladine.

Halls Commercial is marketing the fire station site, citing potential developments the city council would be prepared to back as a hotel, shops, office space or homes.