A FIREFIGHTER shortage has sparked a search for new recruits in an East Yorkshire town.

Pocklington fire station needs up to ten new retained firefighters to keep the part-time station fully staffed. It currently has only 14 crew members to cover the town and surrounding area.

Station commander John Wilson said while Pocklington would always receive 24-hour cover from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, the town's station urgently needed more people.

He said: "Ultimately, if there are no recruits, we could get to a situation in the future where there is no fire engine manned by Pocklington people and we would have to bring an engine in from elsewhere.

"We have been running short in Pocklington for years and the team we have do a sterling job. But it is becoming increasingly important that we get a new generation of firefighters."

He said not having a full complement of firefighters made the job much harder for Pocklington's sub-officer Steve McMillan and his crew.

He said one of the reasons Pocklington struggled to recruit part-time firefighters was because many of the town's residents commuted to York, Leeds and Hull and did not feel they had the time to spare to serve the community.

The station is keen to hear from fit men and women over the age of 18 who live within five minutes drive of the fire station and have good unaided eyesight. They particularly want to hear from people who would be able to answer calls during the day.

Retained firefighters are expected to answer between 50 and 75 per cent of the calls received by the fire station.

Retained firefighters are paid a lump sum of up to £1,881 a year and £13.93 for every incident they attend.

Sub-officer McMillan said: "This is the most interesting job you can do. When the bell goes, you don't know what you are going to get and if you are fortunate enough to save someone's life there is no better feeling."

The station is holding a recruitment day from 9.30am to 4pm on Saturday, June 14.

Updated: 11:22 Saturday, May 31, 2003