FIRE Brigade control operators are still refusing to move into the new joint emergency services centre.

Despite negotiations between chief fire officer Neil Wright and the Fire Brigades' Union, fire controllers say they will only move to the new centre in Devizes if a separate room is provided for them.

Mr Wright is not budging on his offer of a three-quarter length glass screen with doors opening into the rest of the centre, which will be staffed by ambulance and police operators.

Ian Heath, chairman of the Wiltshire branch of the union, said the fire operators' concerns related to noise and health and safety.

He said: "The fire controllers do not think they can do their job properly unless they are in a self-contained room.

"As has already been witnessed this year, they have to talk to people on the phone who are in burning buildings.

"They need the support of their fellow controllers when taking these calls and if they were in a room with 30 people it would be impossible to do their job."