Brigade sues over engines

LOTHIAN and Borders Fire and Rescue is set to begin legal proceedings against the firm which supplied two appliances which are too unsafe to be allowed on the roads.

The appliances, which cost 450,000 each, have been plagued by technical faults since they were bought nearly three years ago.

The fire board yesterday agreed to bring in an adviser to determine if the pump and ladder appliances matched contract specifications.

A spokeswoman confirmed that, "the board has approved the request to support the engagement of an indpendent expert adviser to provide opinion on the confirmity of the vehicles with the contract."