Union officials say proposals to axe 48 firefighters' jobs could cost lives.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue is considering controversial measures to save money under modernisation plans.

Four dedicated aerial appliance crews based at Hove, Preston Circus, Eastbourne and Hastings would go, if agreed.

The appliances would be retained at the stations but their use in emergencies would depend on whether firefighters are available.

It is one of several options, including job cuts, which councillors on East Sussex Fire Authority decided to put out to public consultation yesterday.

There may be no changes but unions are fighting some of the proposals.

The ideas are part of the authority's second integrated risk management plan, a long-term Government modernisation effort.

Last year it was decided aerial appliances in East Sussex would not be mobilised between 6am and 9pm until requested.

Union officials said then the move could cost lives because vital time to reach fire victims would be lost.

The authority's second risk management plans for 2005/06 are already controversial.

By cutting aerial appliance crews, about £1.2 million could be saved but it would cause "significant difficulties" in keeping cover in Eastbourne and Hastings.

A second option would cut 24 jobs in Brighton and Hove, saving about £600,000, or move them to full-time community safety posts.

Options three and four would involve removing the aerial appliances from Brighton and Hove.

They would be used as spares or disposed of and their 12-strong crews would either go, saving £300,000, or switch to community safety.

Under a further option, arrangements at Hove and Brighton would be swapped.

Union officials said they felt frontline services would be affected if some options were adopted. They want to reinstate aerial appliances to the level before last year.

Also discussed were plans to increase fire authority members' allowances, with a proposal that the basic doubles from £500 to £1,000.

However, a final decision was deferred until January.

Eastbourne Lib Dem Councillor Maurice Skilton said it was not right to discuss allowance rises at the same time as proposed cuts.