BEDS are to be taken out of fire stations to stop firefighters sleeping during their shifts.

County Fire Officer Barry Dixon wants all 400 beds across the Greater Manchester Fire Service taken out by September.

He said they had "no place in a modern fire and rescue service" and added that crews would be expected to do training and nighttime inspections during their 15-hour shift.

But union bosses and firefighters in Bolton say that during a long night shift some sleep is essential for health and safety reasons.

If the move goes ahead, it would mean 11 beds would be axed at Bolton Central fire station, on Moor Lane, Bolton, and around nine would go at Bolton North, on Crompton Way, Astley Bridge and at Farnworth fire station.

Mr Dixon, who is keen for firefighters to do more community safety work, said: "I can't think of any other occupation where a situation like this still exists."

It is proposed that reclining chairs be put in place instead of beds as rest periods would still be needed.

Kevin Brown, the Fire Birgade Union's secretary in Bolton, said: "It's quite strange really that he is concentrating on the issue of beds, which is an easy target. He should be concentrating more on the attacks on firefighters, which are happening all the time."

Traditionally fire officers have slept between midnight and 7am if there are no emergency calls.

Mr Brown said that research by the British Medical Association showed that shift workers perform much better when they are allowed to rest.

"I don't believe it will lead to a better service for the public. I think it's vindictive at best," Mr Brown added.

The FBU will not be taking any action until the plans are formally laid down by the Greater Manchester Fire Service.

One Bolton fire officer, who did not want to be named, said that the proposals were "terrible" and that everyone was against them.

"I think it's a bad idea because we do 15-hour shifts and we only have nine hours between them." he said.

Another fire officer agreed and said that the work could be physically demanding. He added: "Potentially you could get a call in the last 10 minutes of a 15-hour shift and end up working 19 hours."

Mr Dixon says he is going to consult staff over the issue.