Tyne Tees Fire Service

A team of firefighters faced an unusual rescue operation when they were called out to save a bullock from a slurry pit.

The fire crew from Richmond, North Yorkshire, were sent to a farm at Kirby Fleetham near Northallerton at around 8.40 this morning after the bullock fell into the pit.

Five firefighters placed heavyweight straps underneath the bullock, which was up to its neck in slurry, to assist the farmer with the rescue.

The farmer then used a tractor with forklift to lift the frightened animal out of the 4ft deep pit.

The crew cleaned the bullock with a hose before returning it to the barn.

A meeting is being held this evening over proposed changes to fire services in Northumberland. The changes would see Haydon Bridge Fire Station close completely.

The county council says it's a necessary step as it needs to save £500,000 due to budget cuts. £1.5m has already cut over the last two years as a result of a reduction in the Council's budget by central government.

Dave Ledger, chair of Northumberland Fire and Rescue Authority and deputy leader of Northumberland County Council, said:

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has taken delivery of a new piece of technology that makes fighting fires safer and easier.

It's called COBRA and it uses a fine mist of water to lower the temperature inside a burning building.

Phil Roscoe went to see how it works.

A man has been taken to hospital after being rescued from the water, County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service have tweeted.

A consultation has been launched today over changes to North Yorkshire fire stations.

The fire service says the number of incidents it attends and the level of risk has fallen over the last ten years, and that in some areas there is an over provision of resources.

The fire stations where changes are proposed are:

• Harrogate
• Malton
• Northallerton
• Ripon
• Scarborough
• Tadcaster

More details are expected later today with one of the proposals expected to be fire engines being replaced by fire vans.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has launched two new-style appliances that will target smaller, low risk incidents, such as rubbish fires, across the area.

These kind of incidents account for more than 70% of total incidents the fire service attends.?

The two new Targeted Response Vehicles will attend lower risk incidents between the hours of 6pm and midnight.

The video above was made by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue service.

Gordon Chalk Sunderland Representative for the Fire Brigades' Union has said he is delighted by today's decision to keep three Tyne & Wear fire stations open.

Today, February 16, Tyne and Wear fire authority reversed its decision to close Wallsend, Gosforth and Sunderland - after receiving a petition signed by 30,000 people in Sunderland.

• Read more: Petition signed by 30,000 helps three fire stations stay open