Fire chief's move costs taxpayer £20,000

Fire chief David Johnson, in charge of the Essex brigade, cost taxpayers almost £20,000 when he moved house to Suffolk, including the cost of new carpets and Laura Ashley curtains.

Mr Johnson, who earns £148,633, and seven senior colleagues claimed £46,000 expenses over four years.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service, which is trying to save £10million and is cutting staff, said Mr Johnson's spending was "appropriate and acceptable".