WILTSHIRE fire chiefs are having to bring in cover from the other side of the county and pay for overnight hotel bills in a bid to keep Marlborough's fire station up to strength.

Only 12 firefighters are currently available to provide 24 hour cover at Marlborough Fire Station, it has been revealed.

This time last year a recruitment push had increased the number of firefighters to 16 with two more about to join.

Resignations and dismissals over allegations of racism and theft have reduced that number by a third.

Nevertheless Wiltshire Fire Chief Andy Goves has given an assurance that fire cover is being maintained.

Last week a part time retained driver from Warminster had to stay in Marlborough, with the brigade paying him £12 an hour for his 16 hour shifts plus £75 a night hotel costs because the fire station is short of drivers.

On Sunday two fire fighters from Pewsey were drafted into Marlborough to maintain cover while some of the Marlborough firemen were off duty.

Mr Goves said that, when necessary, firefighters were brought in temporarily from other stations to ensure the fire engines could respond to emergencies.

"Our promise remains to the people of Marlborough that we will provide 24 hour cover from the town's fire station," he said.

Mr Goves said he was unable to comment on the loss of some of the town's most experienced firefighters with about 100 years of experience between them because appeals could be pending.

The careers of eight of the town's most experienced firefighters have been brought to an end as a result of an allegation that one made a racist comment and that five were involved in stealing items from a redundant building about to be demolished at Savernake Hospital.

The allegations resulted in the resignation last November of Station Officer Dave Ward who had almost 40 years' service with the brigade.

His efforts to heal a breach between fire fighters at Marlborough led to him being accused of perverting the course of justice.

He is now taking the brigade to an industrial tribunal alleging constructive dismissal. Those involved in the allegations claim they were betrayed by some of their colleagues.