A campaign to recruit retained firefighters has been extended in a bid to help a station suffering from dwindling numbers of personnel.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has moved into the second phase of its recruitment campaign by displaying banners outside its retained stations.

There are currently vacancies at stations at Silsden and Ilkley, but the Haworth fire station, in Station Road, is in urgent need of new recruits.

The current station was built in 1965 at a cost of £18,000. But over the years the number of officers has gradually dropped. There are now just seven firefighters, even though the recommended number for a single pump station is 15. Although there is no immediate threat that the station faces closure, future recruits will be needed.

Sub-officer Andy Price particularly urged people to come forward who could be on call during the day. He said: "At the moment we are only covering 12 hours a day and so we are looking for people who can give some daytime cover. We are mostly giving weekend and night-time cover."

At least four people are needed for the station to provide full cover. During times when there are not enough officers, incidents in Haworth are attended by Keighley and other neighbouring stations.

Retained firefighters have to be able to respond to an incident within five minutes from work or home.

Last year the station was called to 98 incidents, of which 70 were fires and a further three involved special procedures. Six years ago, Haworth firefighters received an award from the RSPCA after they rescued a cow which was stuck in mud.

Mr Price, a self-employed electrician who has been a firefighter for 13 years, added: "It is quite a good job and very rewarding. When we do turn out we never know what we are going to. It can be anything from a small rubbish fire to a large mill job."

Every Wednesday, the retained firefighters attend a drill night at the station to be put through their paces for training purposes.

There were 12 firefighters when Gary Hudson and Steve Torr joined the crew. They were both worried that fewer people were coming forward.

Mr Hudson, a 44-year-old milkman, said: "We are helping people and providing necessary cover. But eventually the station will close if we don't get any more people."

Wagon driver Mr Torr believed Haworth's appeal among commuters had added to the problems.

"We used to be able to have a night off, but you can't have that so much any more," he said.

Applicants are given the same training as full-time firefighters. Anybody interested must be 18 years old, of good character, have good eyesight and be physically fit.

Retained firefighters receive a payment based on availability, a weekly drill fee, turnout fees and a free uniform.

Anybody interested should contact Bingley station commander Jeremy Hayhurst on 01274 562223 or the recruitment hotline on 01274 655273. Alternatively people can attend the Wednesday drill sessions, which run from 7-9pm.