More full-time firefighters are wanted in Cumbria.

The county council is launching its first recruitment campaign for wholetime firefighters for eight years.

Taster sessions will be held across the county next week, with applications opening later in the month.

With more than 90 per cent of current firefighters being white males, the service is encouraging women, people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds and those who are LGBT to find out more about a firefighting career.

Chief fire officer Paul Hancock said: "We are hoping the programme of taster days will result in a broader range of applications which genuinely reflects the make-up of our local communities.

"Working for a modern fire and rescue service offers an exciting and rewarding career and we want to recruit people with a real commitment to improving the safety of their community."

Councillor Barry Doughty, cabinet member for fire and rescue, said: "Firefighters do a wonderful job keeping our communities safe and secure, and we want as many people as possible to come forward and help us find the very best new recruits."