OVERTON Fire Station is desperately short of retained fire crew members, fire chiefs have announced.

The news is part of a renewed appeal for new recruits to join the volunteer fighting force serving the Overton and Kingsclere areas.

Assistant Divisional Officer Dave Lock, of Hampshire Fire and Rescue, says that despite successfully recruiting retained firefighters elsewhere, the problem is far from resolved.

"We need another three people at Overton and we are still six people short at Kingslcere," he said.

"Kingsclere station still has no-one available to attend calls for large periods of time.

"If there is an incident, appliances have to be sent from Overton, Whitchurch or Tadley which, of course, takes longer. The crew at Kingsclere are under a lot of pressure." The chief said some people have requested forms for positions and never returned them but that is now being chased up.

"We very urgently need people to apply.

"They can offer as much or as little cover as they can afford, and as long as they are over 18 and reasonably fit, I would very much like to hear from them," said ADO Lock. Anyone interested in becoming a retained firefighter can inquire at either station on Tuesday evenings or contact ADO Lock on 01256 818885.