David Ruffley will visit Bury St Edmunds Fire Station, Parkway North, on Friday, 31 January between 4.00 and 5.00 p.m.

David has kept in regular contact with local firefighters since negotiations began over their pay claim. He will be meeting the firefighters at the Fire Station on Friday to receive further briefing from them regarding the implications of the Bain Review, especially possible job losses locally. They also particularly wish to draw to David's attention the special features of rural fire services which are quite different from those in urban areas.

David said: 'Many of my constituents have written to me in support of local firefighters at the Fire Station in Bury St Edmunds. I agree with them that an increase in pay is just and necessary to ensure that the falling behind the Fire Service has experienced in the last two decades is reversed.

"The level at which an increase is agreed must, I believe, include some modernisation- but modernisation that firefighters are comfortable with, can live with and which does not jeopardise their safety and that of the general public that they serve so very well.

"I am looking forward to listening to their concerns and taking their views back to Westminster.'