£130 million has been set aside for Fire and Rescue Service projects to build new stations and other facilities, Fire Minister Sadiq Khan has announced.

Fire and Rescue Services have been bidding for a share of Private Finance Initiative (PFI) credits for long-term projects to modernise the country's fire stations. Communities and Local Government announced the latest funding round in July.

Cleveland, Country Durham and Darlington, Northumberland, Staffordshire and Surrey Fire and Rescue Services have all now been selected to develop their proposals in more detail.

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In anticipation, Communities and Local Government is setting aside £60m in PFI funding for the joint Cleveland, County Durham and Darlington and Northumberland proposal, £30m for the Staffordshire proposal and £35m for the proposal from Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.

Mr Khan said: "We need 21st Century fire stations that are effective at welcoming the public as well as keeping them safe and provide good working conditions for our firefighters.

"That's why with these projects we have invested over £500 million so far through PFI on new stations, equipment, training facilities and safety centres.

"For this latest round of funding we set out a tough criteria and the standard of submissions was very high.

"But three proposals were particularly impressive and I'm delighted to announce that we have set aside £125million for projects in Cleveland, County Durham and Darlington, Northumberland, Surrey and Staffordshire."

This is the first time Cleveland and Surrey have received PFI funding.

(CD/JM)