OFF-duty firefighters were recalled to duty 10 times in as many months due to a shortage of crews and officers.

Incidents where brigade bosses were forced to ask firefighters on rest days to report for duty included the huge fire at SAICA Paper Mill a year ago, The Cube student complex in Bolton in November and a scrapyard fire in Bury in January.

The figures, released through a Freedom of Information request, have been described as “frightening” by the Fire Brigades Union which branded the situation as “unsafe” for the public and fire crews.

And The Bolton News understands ­that despite an agreement five firefighters would crew a one pump ­— ­fire appliance ­station ­— around half of such stations were manned by four firefighters on Saturday.

And on Tuesday the aerial appliance at Stretford Fire Station was unavailable due to skills shortages.

The SAICA Paper Mill fire broke out on April 12 last year with dozens of firefighters mobilised to the scene.

Steve Wiswell, secretary of the Greater Manchester Fire Brigades Union, said: “Fire cover in Greater Manchester is inadequate, so much so we are surviving shift to shift, which is unsafe for the public and the firefighters.

“Since 2010 the cuts have decimated the service, we have lost around 600 firefighters as well as fire appliances.

“These statistics are frightening.

“The Mayor of Greater Manchester needs to reverse the cuts.”

He added: “We now routinely, when there is a big fire, have to rely on crews from outside of Greater Manchester, which at one time was almost unheard of. We regularly have issues covering stations because there are not enough firefighters.”

Mr Wiswell said: “Recall to duty is entirely voluntary and firefighters are always ready to serve the community, and now we are asking for investment from the politicians into the fire service. They are always quick to thank us but we need more than that to ensure a safe service for both the public and the firefighters.”

“Greater Manchester is a developing city with a growing population and this level of service, which is truly frightening, cannot continue. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service covers one of the largest areas outside of London,” said Mr Wiswell.

“We have been told that planned cuts are on hold following The Cube fire but nothing is set in stone,” he said.

Fire appliances have been cut from Moss Side, Manchester Central, Blackley, Heywood. Oldham and Eccles since May.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has been contacted for a response.