PART-TIME firefighters are urgently needed in north and west Oxfordshire.

An appeal has been issued for men and women to sign up for duty at Chipping Norton and Deddington fire stations.

Recruitment officer Tony Whiting said more retained (part-time) firefighters were needed to reduce the burden on full-time staff.

He said firefighters were required across the whole of Oxfordshire, but Chipping Norton and Deddington stations were desperate to boost crew numbers to help safeguard the local community.

Ray Jelf, Oxfordshire County Council's executive member for community safety, said: "Recent recruitment drives have resulted in some new retained firefighters being appointed across Oxfordshire.

"However, there are still around 40 vacancies, and I would urge anyone living or working within one-and-a-half miles of their local fire station - particularly in the Chipping Norton or Deddington areas - to consider becoming a retained firefighter to help with safety education and the protection of their local community."

Retained firefighters are on call for parts of a week and can work hours that fit around their home and working lives.

They are trained by the fire and rescue service to do the same job as their full-time colleagues and are described by Mr Whiting as the backbone of the fire service.

He said: "They are ordinary people doing an extraordinary job."

Anyone who is reasonably fit and healthy, aged between 18 and 55, wanting to earn extra money or just hoping to make a difference to the local community, can call the recruitment hotline on 0800 587 0870.

Alternatively, they can call in at Chipping Norton fire station on Wednesday evenings between 7pm and 9pm and talk to watch manager Steven Holland, or Deddington fire station on Tuesday evenings and talk to Anne Waters.