FIRE chiefs have completed a deal to sell Marsden fire station to mountain rescuers.

The station – which shut down in April – is now to be the new base for the Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team.

The Rescue Team had been using part of the Fire Station and garaging their two rescue vehicles in the building.

Team leaders expressed an interest in purchasing the building after they were given a termination date on their lease following the announcement that the Fire Station was to close.

Details of the sale price have not been revealed.

The Holme Valley MRT was formed in 1965 and covers West Yorkshire with terrain ranging from rugged open moorland to built-up urban areas which includes Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Leeds, Wakefield and Castleford.

The Marsden deal means they will be able to access the moors via the A62 and the M62.

Fire chiefs closed the Manchester Road station to save £225,000.

Five of the retained firefighters from Marsden have transferred to Slaithwaite – and the dedicated crew have all agreed to move house to be nearer to the New Street station.

Three of Marsden’s retained firefighters have left the brigade.

Clr Judith Hughes, who is vice chairman of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “I am delighted to be able to support the HVMRT in establishing the services they provide on a permanent basis at Marsden Fire Station.

“West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and HVMRT have demonstrated that one public safety organisation has the ability to assist and support another to the benefit of the whole community.

“We look forward to supporting the fundraising activities of HVMRT over the next two years’.

The team is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in all conditions.

In addition to emergency callouts, the team provides cover for events including The Huddersfield Examiner Charity Challenge, Wakefield Hospice Walk, Colne Valley Lions Challenge and Holme Valley Scouts Cycle Challenge as well as local galas and fetes.