Fire and ambulance crews in Penrith are joining forces as North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) relocate to Penrith Community Fire Station.

Over 30 emergency ambulance staff have made the move this week from their former premises on Bridge Lane, to the property on Carleton Avenue to create a community fire and ambulance station.

The move will allow much closer working between the two emergency services.

Operations Manager for NWAS, Nick Griggs, said: “Our previous ambulance station is connected to the old fire station and although both building have served us well, they now tired and dated.

“Our new station will provide us with modern, comfortable facilities.

“We already work very closely with our fire and rescue colleagues in Cumbria and this move will only strengthen our relationship with them.”

The move comes as part of a number of fire and ambulance collaborations in the North West with Lancaster ambulance station also relocating this month into the fire and rescue service premises.

Station Manager for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Mike Clusker, said: “I would like to welcome our colleagues from NWAS, we are looking forward to sharing our facilities and working more closely together.

“This move can only add value to the service we provide to the communities we serve in North Cumbria and Eden.”

Patient transport service staff will still be based the former Penrith site for the time being until they are relocated elsewhere.