The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has warned that proposed reductions to fire and rescue cover could leave communities across the West Midlands less safe.

The union has called on West Midlands Fire Service and the West Midlands Fire Authority to halt all planned changes to frontline cover.

Proposals under discussion include closing and relocating Ward End Fire Station, removing night-time cover from Bloxwich, Willenhall and Kings Norton, and reducing the overnight availability of second fire engines at up to 11 other stations.

Overall, 14 fire stations are at risk across Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

The FBU said the changes would reduce the number of firefighters and fire engines available, particularly at night, when major incidents can occur.

The union has also raised concerns that the service has not provided the operational modelling needed to properly assess claims about the impact on fire engine attendance times.

Steve Wright, general secretary of the FBU, said: "West Midlands Fire Service is proposing to strip night-time cover from stations across the region, close Ward End and leave communities waiting longer for help in an emergency.

"We have just seen a summer of wildfires and major incidents across the West Midlands including the loss of 19 homes in Stourbridge.

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"When people dial 999, they expect a fire engine to arrive quickly, not to be told their local station has been downgraded or closed.

"These proposals would put our members under greater pressure, leave fire crews covering larger areas with fewer resources, and put the public at risk.

"This is not acceptable and the FBU will oppose the plans."

The union has begun engaging with Fire Authority members and local MPs and is arranging meetings with affected branches to develop its formal response to the proposals.