AN APPEAL launched in Princetown last week for new volunteer firefighters to come forward to safeguard the future of the village's fire station has received a good response.

But more retained firefighters are still needed so the service can be on call at all times, particularly during working hours.

Recent shortages of crew have meant the fire engine has been understaffed or unavailable at certain times of the week.

Assistant divisional officer Adge Tilke said recruitment problems were not confined to Princetown: 'This is a problem in a number of locations across Devon, where it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract people into the retained fire service.'

He said the fire service could build stations and provide equipment, but people from the local community had to come forward and volunteer to keep the service running.

Mr Tilke said he was sure the people of Princetown would be concerned about the fire engine being off the road for parts of the week because there were not enough crew. The problem was particularly acute during the day and the service was looking for volunteers who would be available then.

Mr Tilke said the campaign to attract volunteers included advertising boards around the village and leafleting all homes. The possibility of placing a small advertisement on the side of the Princetown fire engine, to bring home the message of the need for more volunteers was also being investigated.

Mr Tilke said it was important Princetown had its own service because the moorland around Princetown was a remote area which posed a major fire risk within the locality. If there was no Princetown engine, the next nearest crew, Tavistock, would have to attend call-outs.

Women had traditionally been under-represented in the fire service, but this was no longer the case, he said. He was keen to speak to women in Princetown who might be interested in volunteering to join the service.

Princetown station officer Henry Melle said the response to the appeal had been very good, and once people were made aware of how stretched the fire station was, many were keen to help out. But he said the service was still looking for more retained firefighters, even if they were available for just a few hours.

Anyone who is relatively physically fit and who lives or works within five minutes of Princetown fire station and is interested in volunteering, is asked to contact Mr Tilke at the Devon Fire and Rescue HQ on 01392 872331.

Alternatively, they can go directly along to Princetown fire station during drill practice on Wednesdays, from 7pm to 9pm.

l To tie in with the appeal, Princetown fire station is holding its annual open day this weekend, where people will be able to find out more about the service, as well as joining in fun family activities.

The open day takes place at Princetown Fire Station this Saturday between 10am to 4pm and activities will include fire engine rides, spray the target games, chip pan fire demonstrations, breathing apparatus displays and lots more besides.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Fire Service Benevolent Fund.