Heroes must have a future

FIREFIGHTERS have toiled heroically over the past seven days to save lives and property from a series of destructive wildfires across the Highlands.

The vast majority are part time and fit this vital work around their full time jobs.

The operation has also been hugely expensive for a Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service already struggling to manage budget cuts. South of the border prime minister David Cameron has promised brigades extra cash to help offset the cost of fighting wildfires, and whichever party is returned to power in Holyrood today should quickly follow suit.

It would be wrong if, having served the community so well, our part time firefighters find that as a consequence their units are downgraded or even disbanded to help meet financial targets.