AN INSPECTION by an independent watchdog into the Isle of Wight's Fire and Rescue Service is expected to confirm it is making steady progress towards modernisation.

The Audit Commission team spent several days last week at Fire Service HQ in Newport on a fact-finding mission.

Councillor David Knowles, portfolio holder for the Island Council's Fire Emergency Planning and Consumer Protection, said: "The inspection has been a very timely exercise.

"The assessment team praised the council for its honest self-assessment of service and recognised that the pace of change and improvement has significantly picked up in the last couple of months."