Social housing tenants have been left shocked after a decision to remove fire extinguishers from their communal buildings.

Castles and Coasts Housing Association has written to tenants of Rudds Court in Whitehaven to inform them of its proposal to remove fire extinguishers from all communal areas of blocks of flats, including their buildings.

The letter states that it is not considered necessary to provide firefighting equipment in the buildings and such equipment should only be used by people who have been trained.

"It is not considered appropriate or practicable for residents in blocks of flats to receive such training," the letter adds.

"We would ask that you follow the fire guidance provided on the fire action notices fitted in the building."

Residents' safety will not be affected, it said, as "all required actions from the most recent fire risk assessment have been completed".

But people living in the flats are concerned about the decision, which they fear will reduce their safety.

One man, who did not want to be named, said the move was particularly concerning in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, which caused the deaths of 72 people after a blaze broke out in a flat within a tower block.

He said: "I was really shocked and concerned to receive the letter. If it had been April 1 I'd have thought it was an April fool.

"With what happened in London you'd have thought they'd have given us an extra fire extinguisher, not taken them away.

"I was reassured because there was a fire extinguisher on the landing. It could be the difference between getting out and not.

"They can have as many risk assessments as they want but if there's a fire, there's a fire."

He added that the fire action notices in the building instructed to people to call the fire brigade then fight the fire with any firefighting equipment available.

David Elwood, head of maintenance for Castles and Coasts Housing Association, said: “As a responsible social landlord, the safety and wellbeing of our residents is always our number one priority and we do everything we can to ensure they are safe in their own homes.

“Following a thorough fire risk assessment, carried out by an independent qualified fire risk assessor, and in line with guidance from the Local Government Association, we have been advised that the fire extinguishers in the communal spaces within purpose built blocks of flats across our housing stock should be removed. In no way will this compromise the fire safety of the building and it follows the latest best practice.

“The views of our residents are very important and we are currently consulting with residents and would ask anyone with any concerns to get in touch with us directly.”