THE last public meeting to discuss controversial changes to the fire service is being held tomorrow.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has been holding public meetings as part of a three month consultation period over changes to the service.

The cuts include reducing the 1,500 firefighters in the county by 225 and using smaller vehicles.

Other changes involve raising council tax by 1.99 per cent to make up for a shortfall in the Fire and Rescue Services budget.

In all the service hopes that the moves will save £12.2m from its budget.

The proposals, which come in the wake of sweeping government cuts to fire services, have sparked anger among many residents and politicians who claim the developments will put lives at risk.

Previous meetings across Hampshire have seen emotions run high with members of the public and firefighters past and present voicing their opinions.

The final public meeting is happening tomorrow at the Thorngate Halls, in Bury Road, Gosport.

Any member of the public is invited to attend the meeting which starts at 6.30pm and will last until 9pm.

The consultation period ends on December 4 and following the results of the consultation the Fire Authority will make a final decision on what will be done in February next year.