The authority, whose previous £33m capital spending plans fell victim to Government cuts, is seeking a design and build contractor to deliver up to five new buildings over the next five years.

The first main build element of the new programme will be a new fire station at Headland, Hartlepool.

Ian Hayton, Chief Fire Officer of Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: “Despite the financial pressures facing the Brigade, it is so important that we continue to invest for the future to ensure that we have facilities which are fit for the 21^st century.

“The Headland Fire Station is coming to the end of its working life which is why it is a high priority on our building replacement programme.”

The programme will also include new Middlesborough, Grangetown and Thornaby fire stations station, and possibly a new Brigade headquarters building if a decision is taken to go-ahead with building a new training centre at the site.

The authority said it had recognised the growing risk that is being presented from its aging estate of buildings which have a backlog maintenance requirement of over £7.5m.