A WILTSHIRE councillor says she is ‘gutted’ at proposals to axe Wilton Fire Station and is pleading with the community to engage in a public consultation on the closure.

Today, Cllr Pauline Church, Wiltshire Council member for Wilton, met with fire chiefs at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) HQ to discuss plans to shut eight stations.

In a social media statement, Cllr Church said: “Today I attended a briefing and data presentation by chief fire fighter Andy Cole and his team for MPs and Wiltshire councillors.

“I’d like to think the public consultation process might yield a different decision, but I am not hopeful.

“I’m gutted our fire station is under consideration – generations of Wilton families and members of our community have risked their lives for others – a commendable act of service and one which I know we are all thankful for.”

She finished by urging residents to make their opinions known when the public consultation goes live, stating there will also be various public meetings held in the run up to a decision being made.