THE news that the Cheshire Fire and Rescue chief and deputy chief have been awarded handsome pay rises and bonus payments (Warrington Guardian, February 2) is in very poor taste considering frontline firefighters came under the one percent public pay cap.

With budgets tightening across all fire services in England, now is not the time to pay frivolous bonuses to people who don’t deserve it.

If there is anyone in Cheshire Fire who deserves a pay rise or a bonus it is the hard working men and women who every day are risking their lives to keep us safe as frontline firefighters.

LOUISE BOURS Cheshire UKIP MEP