FIREFIGHTERS are looking for new community heroes to help man the pumps and fight blazes across the county.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service are hoping local residents living close to stations across Frodsham, Malpas and Tarporley will come forwards to become part time firefighters for their local area.

Part time firefighters, known as on-call, are trained to the same level as full-time crews and will be called to battle blazes and help protect their communities from floods, free motorists involved in car crashes and help protect the local environment from chemical leaks.

Residents living within minutes of the fire stations on Ship Street in Frodsham, Chester Road in Malpas, and Birch Heath Road in Tarporley are being asked to come forwards and offer their time to help protect their communities.

On average part-time firefighters earn £5,000 every year, are called out to incidents two to three times a week and attend a drill session for a couple of hours every week.

They are alerted to incidents via a pager device and need to be within five minutes of the station while they are on-call.

Paul Hancock, Cheshire Fire and Rescue's Chief Fire Officer, said: “Working with the fire and rescue service is a thoroughly rewarding experience.

“It gives individuals the opportunity to work with people from different backgrounds and meet people in the community as well as responding to emergency incidents within Cheshire.”

On-call firefighters come from all walks of life, including: shopkeepers, stay at home mums, builders, plumbers, farmers, secretaries, company directors and people who may not currently be employed, and work alongside their full-time colleagues.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a part-time firefighter should call Frodsham Fire Station on 01928 732181, Malpas on 01948 860872 or Tarporley 01829 733797.