FIRST it was the coastguard, then the ambulance, now Hampshire Fire Service is the latest target in danger of losing its identity.

That's what could happen if the government presses ahead with radical plans to regionalise the fire service into one huge authority.

Under proposals put forward in a White Paper, the new "super fire authority" could stretch from Kent in the east, north to Buckinghamshire and down to the south coast.

Current control centres in Hampshire would be scrapped in favour of one regional emergency room.

The news has prompted outrage from Hampshire fire service chiefs and unions who have condemned the plan.

It comes hard on the heels of aborted proposals to merge Hampshire Ambulance Service with their Surrey counterparts.

Four years ago, Lee-on-the-Solent coastguard centre staved off closure as part of a proposed merger with Dorset sea rescue service.

To read our full report go to the Spotlight section at: http://www.thisissouthampton.co.uk/hampshire/southampton/more_news/spotlight.html