FIRE chiefs say the service provided by the Bucks brigade continues to improve - despite making savings of nearly £2 million last year.

Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority said the record savings from the £29.4m budget were largely made by reducing workforce costs, including a drop in the number of retained firefighters, and the absence of a pay award.

Consultants were also hired to identify savings through new computerised systems and reviews of the control room, fleet and property. Chiefs said there were no cuts to frontline services.

The savings will help meet the cost of potential pension liabilities arising from a long-standing national court case, as well as future funding pressures and investment in equipment and public safety.

Chief Fire Officer Mark Jones told an authority meeting on Wednesday: “Once more, our staff have pulled the belt in and reduced the cost of delivering our services.

“To have maintained our position as one of the safest places in England while being one of the lowest cost services is quite remarkable, and this is the second year we have managed to deliver savings of this magnitude."