PLANS to build a vital second fire station in Basingstoke could be put on hold for at least a further two years to keep another run-down Hampshire site open - even though experts say it is not needed.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority has set aside funds for a station in Chineham on land at the junction of Carpenters Down and Shetland Road, costing nearly £3million.

But now a suggestion has been put forward to use that money - the biggest single item of expenditure planned in the current year's budget - to rebuild or refurbish a decrepit station in Copnor, Portsmouth, which a Fire Cover Review recommended should close because the area could cope without it.

Any decision, except to close the Portsmouth station, would have a substantial impact on Basingstoke getting another fire station operating by either 2005/06 as planned.

Councillors on the authority - of whom 19 out of 25 represent Hampshire - are expected to pick one of five options at an open meeting scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 6, at Eastleigh Borough Council's offices.

Mike Gates, Hampshire Fire and Rescue public relations manager, said: "At the moment the Basingstoke fire station is meeting its targets and objectives but we cannot be complacent.

"We have to look to the future and at the way Basingstoke is growing.

"The M3 is a major artery from London to the South.

"There's more traffic and with it comes more accidents but we've only got one station to deal with them in Basingstoke."

Concerned about the station's future ability to meet times set by the Government, Mr Gates said: "We are in danger of delaying the arrival of a second fire station.

"Fundamentally, the station at Copnor is badly built.

"If the authority goes for the cheapest option, it may patch up the building but in two years we will be in the same situation."

In February, the authority chose not to support recommendations to reduce the number of fire stations from three to two in Portsmouth, but not the number of firefighters.