UNION complaints levelled at the fire brigade's top boss have been dismissed following an investigation.

Last month the Fire Brigades Union claimed alleged misconduct at Horwich fire station in 1993 had not been adequately investigated.

It was also alleged that documents relevant to a police investigation into claimed hoax calls made by firefighters at the Chorley New Road station, had been destroyed.

But yesterday Stephen Jones, clerk to the Fire Authority, dismissed the two complaints which had been levelled at Chief Fire Officer George Almond.

In a letter to the Fire Brigades Union, Mr Jones criticised the way in which the complaints had been pursued.

He wrote: "This flies in the face of all tenets of natural justice and I feel sure you would be the first to object if such a process was experienced by one of your members."

Mr Jones also criticised the union amid claims that information about the grievances had been withheld.

He added: "You have told me you have additional information but refused to share it with me, even though requiring me to carry out an investigation."

Mr Jones ruled that the FBU had not presented firm evidence to warrant disciplinary action against Mr Almond for the complaints, dating from 1993.

And he concluded that paper files had been destroyed as normal procedure and had not been marked for retention. The information is also still available on magnetic tape.

This morning, FBU secretary Bob Pounder hit out at the decision and the Fire Authority's criticism.

He added: "The FBU takes a very dim view of this response and the letter will be placed before our solicitor.

"I have made the allegations that I have, and as far as I'm concerned they still stand. I have tried to resolve this matter within the brigade and that has not been possible.

"In my experience matters such as these can only be resolved when given the oxygen of publicity."