Station manager Tony Smyth said he has received a great response after the Express printed an appeal for more people to consider signing up.

Firefighter Smyth urged anyone who was free during the day – like young mums with children in school – to join the service and help fill a shortfall in day cover at the station.

He said: "The response was better than I expected to be honest. We've have had an awful lot of interest – and mostly from women.

"It's been very difficult recruiting people in Featherstone because it's a very small pool of potential people. Firefighters must be within a mile of the station in order to respond quickly when needed.

"Those who apply need to be fit enough and strong enough and obviously have the skills – or the potential to develop the skills – to do the job.

"We will have to see now whether they meet the conditions of the application process but we are really glad to have the interest there to start from."

Those who meet the initial criteria will then have to undergo pyschometric testing which looks at problem-solving skills, literacy and numeracy.

The next stage is practical testing, which includes using the breathing apparatus, lifting weights and simulating equipment carrying.

An interview process is the penultimate stage, where applicants need to show they have certain personal qualities and attributes and finally, there is a medical.

Once this is all completed, the training process can begin which is a 13-week course or modular, over a longer period of time. Anyone who is interested in signing up can phone Featherstone fire station on 01977 792211.