THE fire service is getting a “pathetic” amount of interest on its investments, according to a councillor.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service earned just £53,000 on investments of £22.8 million between April and October this year, a new report reveals.

Councillor Howard Middleton (Lib Dem, Bolton and Undercliffe), who sits on the Fire Authority, said: “The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue budget is under pressure, so why not attempt to earn better interest on the cash it is holding?

“I am not advocating reckless gambling, but a treasury management policy similar to that adopted by Bradford Council would generate a better return.”