A recruitment drive is planned

Fire chiefs in Wiltshire are warning that staffing levels in some parts of the county are so low that they would struggle in an emergency.

They have described the situation as "critical" in Wootton Bassett - where the closure of some local businesses have taken with them the town's retained firefighters.

Andy Hargreaves, station officer at Wootton Bassett, said: "It is a dramatic problem.

"There are times now during the working week when the fire engine here can't respond because there are not enough crew members.

Recruitment

"It is a historic problem - but the closure of the St Ivel factory opposite the station which used to provide some of our retained crew members."

A recruitment night is being held at the station next Monday.

Sub Officer Mick Pinnegar, a retained firefighter at the station for 35 years, added: "You must be prepared to give a lot of commitment to the job.

"But If the truck doesn't roll from here, we have to mobilise a truck from west Swindon - which takes time."