FIRE crews on the Isle of Wight have seen changes to their working patterns, during the strict coronavirus restrictions.

Firefighters are now working 24-hour shifts, cutting crew changes by half.

Other measures have also been brought in.

An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: “We are undertaking a number of changes to maintain a safe and healthy workforce, while providing our essential frontline delivery.

“These include following guidance from Public Health England to ensure crews have the appropriate ‘personnel protective equipment’ and locking down fire stations for essential personnel only.

"Another action identified was by temporarily undertaking 24-hour shifts, we can maintain the same level of cover to the community but reduce our shift changeovers by 50 per cent.”

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