A COALITION of councils including Lewisham could launch a legal challenge against Boris Johnson's fire service cuts.

The Mayor of London overruled his own fire authority last week to force through the cuts - which includes closing Downham and Woolwich stations.

Islington Council is considering a judicial review of the decision and has been sounding out other local authorities, including Lewisham and neighbouring Southwark.

An Islington Council spokesman said: "The council is considering a judicial review of the mayor's decision, which we anticipate will be supported by a number of other councils."

A spokesman for Lewisham Council, which recently celebrated a legal victory with the local hospital, said they "have not yet taken a view" on the legal case. It is not yet known what Greenwich Council's position is.

In the meantime, an online petition against the cuts has been backed by nearly 5,000 people. Visit 38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-our-firestations to sign up.