PORLOCK will become “a village on fire” as part of its action plan to save its award-winning fire station from closure, protestors revealed this week.

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service public consultation on the closure – to be held in the village on July 25 – will be met by protests which are planned to include:

* Plastic images of flames in High Street shop windows.

* A choir singing “Porlock’s Burning”.

* Ribbons representing flames on the church tower.

* Schoolchildren in yellow firemen’s helmets representing safety for the next generation.

* Support from councils of nearby parishes which are dependent on Porlock firefighters.

By the time the Free Press went to print yesterday (Thursday), an online ’Save Our Station’ petition had almost 750 signatures, while several hundred had signed a paper copy in local shops and businesses.

“There is a feeling of absolute fury and great concern about losing something which is a vital part of our community,” said Porlock’s district councillor Andrew Milne, lead member of a 14-strong steering group which is master-minding the protest.

“Porlock is absolutely rock-solid in its determination to keep the station, which is the best in Devon and Somerset. The support we have had from all over the country has been fantastic.

“We will pack the village hall on July 25 and demand some convincing answers to justify the closure of an invaluable facility just to save £50,000 – the price of some minor fire service administrative cuts.

“This fight is by no means over - in fact it’s only just started.”

For details of the campaign, buy today’s Free Press (July 5)