A FIRE service vehicle which deals with major contaminations has been withdrawn from Hereford.

The only incident response unit (IRU) within the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service was based at Hereford Fire Station.

Following a move by the government to reduce the number of IRUs in England by 22, the one at Hereford has been withdrawn at the end of last year.

IRUs provide decontamination facilities at the scene of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident, such as in potential terror attacks.

Spokesman for the Hereford and Worcester fire service Jessica Chadwick said they were told by the government that the IRU will no longer be called upon as part of the national strategy for mass decontamination from December 31, 2015, and will cease to be funded from March 31 this year.

She said: "This IRU formed part of the national structure to deal with mass decontamination of members of the public.

"The vehicle was provided, and funded, by central government over a decade ago and was located in the service as part of the national strategy.

"A revised national risk assessment has seen an overall reduction in the number of these vehicles.

"However, substantial numbers of IRUs remain available across the UK and a number are still available within the West Midlands region."

Ms Chadwick said a a smaller specialist decontamination facility is being secured for Hereford Fire Station.

She said: "This is to ensure there is a fire and rescue service decontamination capability available in Herefordshire. A similar bespoke decontamination capability is also held at Droitwich Fire Station."