Essex Fire Service could be moving its headquarters and control to Chelmsford after the Government gave the all clear for a £20m private finance initiative.

The service must now make a business case for its plans for a new headquarters, most likely away from its cramped and traditional home in Rayleigh Road, Hutton.

The plan also includes a new training centre which will almost certainly move from its current Witham base and it is hinted that somewhere like Wethersfield, away from large numbers of houses and businesses, could be an option.

"It's all got to be cost-effective and environmentally friendly," said Senior Divisional Officer Dave Blackett yesterday (Thursday).

"Obviously Chelmsford is the county town and probably the fastest growing town in Europe which means that land costs may be a problem but ideally a central HQ and control would be ideal."

The initiative approved by the department of local government also makes provision for a new workshops currently based on the west of Colchester and new fire stations for Stansted Airport, Tillingham Shoebury and Old Harlow.