A government announcement on the location of a new regional fire centre in the South West has been delayed.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had been expected to reveal the site of the centre before the end of February.

But now the government has said the complexity of the project means the location would not be unveiled until the spring.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) claims the controversial plans are being held up until after any General Election.

The government wants fire services in Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Avon, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall to be run from one control room.

It says the centre would be more efficient as a regional unit.

The FBU has criticised the plans. It believes a central control centre will not work as the many different brigades all have different operating procedures.

In a statement, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said the control centre was a complex project and it wanted to make sure it got it right "to deliver the best outcome for the general public and the Fire and Rescue Service".

It added: "Our aim and that remains so is to have regional control centres up and running by 2008.

"By doing this the public will be better protected."