Campaigners are celebrating after it was announced two fire stations threatened with closure will stay open for the foreseeable future.

Moira and Syston stations were earmarked for closure as part of a shake-up of fire cover in the north of the county.

Under the fire service's three-year Integrated Risk Management Plan, the stations would have made way for a new station in Castle Donington and a headquarters in Birstall.

However, at a meeting of the county's Combined Fire Authority (CFA), yesterday, members voted overwhelmingly to keep both stations open.

The authority took a few minutes to approve recommendations put forward by its scrutiny committee last month.

Twelve members voted that "Moira remains open until a new station is opened in Castle Donington". There were no votes against and one abstention.

A motion that "Syston should not be closed until a new station is opened at Birstall – if the combined fire authority decides to close Syston" was passed by 11 votes to one, with two abstentions.

Members also agreed no "disposal" of land or buildings at either site would happen for at least 12 months after any move.

A petition containing more than 5,000 signatures was raised by Save Moira Fire Station Action Group.

Members argued the review did not take into account thousands of homes proposed for the area and that the station's closure would put lives at risk.

Adrian Davies, 41, of Moira, a group member, said: "This gives us more time to fight these proposals.

"There is no guarantee the land in Castle Donington or Birstall will be available or that the fire service can find the money.

"By then many of the homes will be built and, hopefully, the fire authority will realise just how vital Moira is."

Colin Wood, mayor of Ashby Woulds town council and a former retained firefighter said: "I'm really pleased.

"My only disappointment is that the station's closure is even being considered. It is a vital resource for the people of Moira and surrounding villages in the National Forest.

"Whatever happens in the future, we won't be going away."

Moira district councillor John Bridges said: "This is a victory for local democracy.

"Without the determination of campaigners, I have no doubt Moira would be closing now."

Elsewhere, other campaigns were not so successful.

The number of firefighters at Hinckley station will be cut by eight, with the authority members voting by nine to three in favour of the recommendation.

More than 4,600 people had signed a petition opposing the cuts.

Councillor David Bill, deputy leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, said: "The authority has simply dismissed the concerns of almost 5,000 people.

"We need fire cover in the area to be bolstered, not cut."

After the meeting, chief fire officer Dave Webb said: "I appreciate people have such strong support for their local fire stations but we have to provide a strategy which best protects all of the people in Leicestershire and Rutland."