A FIRE boss has hailed a move that will see a partnership begin between the Hampshire and Isle of Wight services to save money and increase efficiency.

The decision to have Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service take charge of day-to-day running of the Isle of Wight Fire Service was approved at an authority meeting and fire officials on the mainland will now take on managerial and budgetary administration for the Island.

Chief officer Dave Curry welcomed the plans and said they could save about £500,000 a year and highlighted a fire at Albany Prison on the Isle of Wight this week as an example of where operations could be improved.

Thirty firefighters tackled a blaze at the prison and up to 87 prisoners were moved into a gymnasium for safety while two were taken to|hospital.

Mr Curry said: “Making better use of assets and services is one of the authority’s aims and there are other benefits such as technology.

“In the fire this week in the prison they had limited resources available to them whereas in Hampshire we have the luxury of significant resources.

“I truly believe that this will bring a benefit and that over the years we will continue to see benefits both for the Isle of Wight and for Hampshire.”

Under the plans Hampshire’s fire chief officer and his team will provide strategic leadership and management for the Isle of Wight and the Island’s three senior officers will be transferred to Hampshire.

The area and group manager will provide a physical presence on the Island but the move is not considered to be a merger.

The partnership agreement allows for a phased implementation which will begin on April 1.