THOUSANDS of people were left without fire cover after a recruitment shortage left a rural fire station unmanned.

A decision by fire chiefs to leave Stanhope Fire Station without any cover has sparked an outcry from residents.

But Chief Fire Officer for Darlington and County Durham, George Herbert, said that he had been left with no choice after both Crook and Stanhope were left without crews.

The decision had to be made when both stations, which are usually manned by retainer fire crews, had a staffing crisis a week and a half ago.

Firefighters were not on strike at the time.

He said: "Both of those fire stations are retained fire stations and on this occasion both Stanhope and Crook crews had other work commitments.

"We had to make a decision that would meet the cover needs of both communities so we sent the fire crew to Crook.

"I am not making the point that this is acceptable but we are currently limited in the amount of resources we have and we have to do the best with what is available.''

But Coun John Shuttleworth, who represents Stanhope on Durham County Council, said that he should have been consulted that there was a crisis.

He said: "The fact that the nearest fire crew was in Crook is just not acceptable.

"I am told it would take around 40 to 45 minutes for the crew from Crook to get to Stanhope but what about if something were to happen at St John's Chapel? The people up there would not stand a chance.

"If George Herbert thinks he can get away with doing this on a regular basis he will have a fight on his hands.''

Coun Shuttleworth's concerns have been backed by the secretary of the Darlington and County Durham Fire Brigades Union Brian Boyle, who said he is appalled that Stanhope Station was left without a crew.

He said: "I have never known a time when Stanhope has been left without cover.

"The public are entitled to a fire engine at that station. It is as simple as that. By leaving it without a pump goes totally against the standards of fire cover required."