A petition fighting controversial plans to axe Sedgley’s retained fire station has soared past the 10,000 signature mark.

West Midlands Fire Service is planning to remove the Tipton Street service but local residents fear it will put lives at risk.

Leading campaigner Rachel Spittle, aged 30, said 500 people put their names to the fight in just a few hours during a signature collecting session in Bilston town centre on Saturday.

“The petition is going really well and we will be out campaigning in Dudley town centre again this weekend. The petition needs to be handed in in just under two weeks so we are hoping to get as many signatures as possible before then.

“We want the campaign to reach out to as many people as possible as taking fire cover away from Sedgley will have repercussions for surrounding areas,” the Dudley Council worker added.

West Midlands Fire Authority wants to remove the service claiming calls can be dealt with by full time crews from nearby stations such as Dudley within the recommended time guidelines.

But residents have argued it is simply a cost-cutting exercise which would save the authority around £200,000 per year. Among those backing the campaign is Sedgley fire station’s sacked watch commander who served there for more than 30 years.

Senior firefighter Ian Hale is one of eight retained crew who was sacked last June for alleged gross misconduct, the other seven firefighters won their jobs back.

Mr Hale, aged in his 50s, who lives just a few minutes from the station hopes to take his case to a tribunal later this year. Details of the alleged gross misconduct which led to the crew being sacked have never been disclosed by West Midlands Fire Service.

There is an on-line petition organisers by the campaigners at www.savesedgleyfireservice.co.uk