After an incident where health and safety rules prevented the firefighters from saving a woman who lay dying in a pit for six hours, firefighters have been asked to use "common sense" during emergencies.

Health and Safety Executive revealed a new policy where fire services will be asked to adopt new "non-bureaucratic" guidelines and take a "sensible" approach to dangerous incidents.

HSE Chiefs said that the guidelines plan to make sure that firefighters could do their jobs effectively without employers ignoring safety rules. The new guidelines were welcomed by the brigade unions with open arms, saying that a balance had to be struck between safety rules and letting fire squads do their job.

But one MP called for a complete revamp of safety guidelines after a fatal accident investigation into the death of Alison Hume.

44-year-old, Alison Hume, from Galston in Ayrshire, spent six hours at the bottom of a pit because Strathclyde Fire and Rescue was prohibited from using rope to save the public.

After suffering head and chest injuries after falling 60ft, succumbed to death after being brought outside from the shaft.

HSE Chairman, Judith Hackitt, said, "We want to clear up any misunderstandings - a proper approach to health and safety does not prevent firefighters from doing their job. Firefighters perform a unique and indispensable role. It is part of their job to intervene in dangerous situations to protect people and property".