Plans to rebuild Plaistow fire station will gather pace this year, but fire chiefs have promised no disruption to day-to-day operations.

Construction work on the ageing building, on Prince Regent Lane, is expected to start in June next year once plans have been devised and permission secured.

The Blue3 consortium has been selected as part of a �54 million private finance initiative (PFI) contract, which involves eight other London stations.

The London Fire Brigade will work with the firm to gain planning permission for Plaistow and to come up with arrangements that will ensure fire cover, provided while the station is being refurbished, is not disrupted.

Assistant Commissioner Andy Hickmott, technical and service support, said: “This is excellent news for the capital.

“Some of our fire stations are over 100 years old and are simply not fir for modern purposes.

“These stations need to be brought up to date and this project demonstrates our continuing commitment to maintaining the world class fire and rescue service that Londoners have come to expect.”

A temporary station will be provided to accommodate an extra fire station and crew from the stations while they are being refurbished.

Under a PFI scheme, a capital project is designed, built, financed and operated by a private sector consortium.

Mr Hickmott added: “These new fire stations will provide state-of-the-art facilities for our crews, with room for modern fire appliances and training.

“They will also be kitted out with community spaces that will allow members of the public to easily access vital life saving fire safety advice.”