FIREFIGHTERS in Chagford are using their engine to advertise their latest recruitment drive in the area.

The latest appliance livery was officially unveiled at Chagford fire station last month, to get the message out that more volunteers are needed for the local crew.

The situation at Chagford is so bad that there is a real danger the fire engine may not be available at certain times of the day.

Assistant divisional officer Adge Tilke said the unveiling of the new fire appliance livery showed Devon Fire and Rescue Service?s continual commitment to ?Keeping Devon Safe?.

Mr Tilke said retained firefighters came from all and every walk of life.

?The only thing they have in common is that they have all decided to put something back into the community by becoming trained as firefighters. But now it is the firefighters themselves that need your help,? he said.

?There simply aren?t enough of them, and there is a real shortage of new volunteers.?

?Devon Fire and Rescue can provide the fire station, the fire engines, the equipment and the training but the firefighters themselves have to come from the community,? said Mr Tilke.

More and more firefighters joining the force are women ? more than 20 have been recruited from across the county in the last two years.

?We know that there are many more women who are quite capable of becoming firefighters who are reluctant to put themselves forward,? said Mr Tilke.

?What I would say is, please let us be the judge of that. Most people believe the physical strength required to be a firefighter is much greater than it actually is.

?You need to be reasonably fit, over 18 years and live or work within a few minutes of the station,? he added.

If you are interested in joining the valued team at Chagford or would like more details, ring the recruitment line on 01392 872331.