PROPOSALS to close five fire stations, including Frizington's, have been scrapped in a dramatic council u-turn. 

Cumbria County Council's cabinet met this morning, with the multi-million pound budget cuts at the top of the agenda. 

Protesters from Lazonby fire station - one of those under threat of closure - were at the meeting to hear the good news. 

Councillor Barry Doughty, cabinet member with responsibility for the fire service, put forward the proposal to make no alterations to the service. 

He cited the response of firefighters in last month's floods and the strength of public opposition as the reasons behind his suggestion. 

The recommendation was approved - although councillors warned the savings would still need to be found. 

The proposals would have seen the closure of five part-time fire stations across Cumbria, including Lazonby and Frizington in west Cumbria. 

It had been estimated their closure would produce annual savings of £438,000, with a further one-off cash boost of £365,000 generated from the sale of the buildings. 

There was also a plan to remove one of the two fire engines currently based at Maryport Fire Station, saving £30,000 a year.