WANTED: Firm but fair, tough but caring people to keep North Yorkshire's ne'er-do-wells under lock and key.

Must be prepared to grapple with drunks, comfort those at risk of suicide, and get an earful in the process.

The county's police force is recruiting civilian jailers - or custody support staff - as part of a shake-up of its custody services.

They are looking for 18 "responsible, security-minded and physically fit" people to fill posts at police stations in York, Scarborough, Northallerton and Harrogate. More than 140 people have so far applied.

Applicants will need to be part social worker, part bouncer and part psychiatric nurse as they deal with those who find themselves under arrest and "down in the cells".

They will take over some of the administration and care duties from the police, leaving officers to deal with the crime side of the custody business.

Daily errands will include providing meals, responding to calls for attention and overseeing visits by relatives.

Superintendent Anthony McDermott, head of administration of justice with North Yorkshire Police, said: "We are looking for mature, practical and intelligent people who can be robust in situations which could be confrontational, because being arrested is not often a pleasant experience.

"People who have been arrested are under a lot of stress and this produces obstructive and confrontational or violent behaviour - we need people who can defuse these situations."

Applicants should be interested in the welfare of people, as some of those who find themselves behind bars are very vulnerable people, said Supt McDermott.

He said he could not release wage details, but they were "commensurate with the job."

The thin-skinned or faint of heart need not apply, he added.