Hadleigh fire station has been branded a fire risk.

Fire chiefs made the London Road station a top priority for change after it was condemned as the most "unsafe" station in terms of fire safety in the county.

Station commander Jim Jones said the reason was probably the station's age and the fact little improvement work had been done there since it was built in the 1930s.

Share and share alike : 13 firemen are having to share the same shower while upgrades are carried out at the station Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

He said an upgrade - set to cost thousands of pounds - was necessary as the building had no secondary means of escape or facilities for women firefighters and the disabled.

Mr Jones said: "A survey by the Essex fire brigade found Hadleigh to be the most unsafe in terms of fire safety in the county.

"We have had to spend the money on what we needed the most, which was a better shower and toilet block and facilities for women.

The work is expected to go on for about six weeks.

Published Thursday, January 16, 2003

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