bFIREFIGHTERS working at Titchfield's doomed station have begun job-hunting, following the decision to axe the service.

The retained station, which is manned by a 14-strong team, had its fate sealed last month when the Home Office announced changes in Hampshire stations' status and staffing levels.

Since the announcement, Titchfield officers have been waiting to hear when they will attend their last blaze as part of the village's fire service.

Relocation packages and redundancy payments have been offered, but is thought that many staff will not want to uproot from Titchfield.

Firefighter Robbie Clarke, from West Street, said: "People don't want to move away and some of the alternatives just aren't feasible.

"Beaulieu is one option. I've nothing against the place, but how can I or other firefighters afford houses in the New Forest

"Most of us have part-time work, and finding jobs to fit in with that can be tricky. We need to know what's going on."

Retained Firefighters Union secretary Bob Kingshott, said the relocation and redundancy offers were "a step in the right direction".

But he poured cold water on any hopes of the Southampton Hill station ever re-opening.

He added: "Once these retained stations go, they often go for good. It can be very hard to find the land and the staff nearby to set up new stations, especially retained ones like Titchfield."

Twyford, near Winchester, will also close. Lyndhurst and Hardley in the New Forest will now be fully retained and Eastleigh and Waterlooville are to be upgraded.

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