WEST Yorkshire's fire chief was today talking to MPs looking at the future of the fire and rescue service.

Phil Toase was appearing before the Select Committee of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

The committee is conducting a detailed probe into fire service modernisation.

Mr Toase is answering questions on behalf of the Chief Fire Officers' Association.

He becomes its president in April.

Mr Toase said: "The service has undergone immense change over the last few years and the committee is eager to understand how this is affecting ordinary taxpayers."

Key themes include fire prevention, promoting diversity in the workplace and joint working with other emergency services.

Mr Toase added: "The committee will be paying particular attention to the development of regional control centres - like the one proposed in Wakefield - and issues around civil resilience."

He will be accompanied by fire service chiefs from Cambridgeshire, Cheshire and Berkshire.