BEWDLEY is in danger of losing its fire station unless volunteer firefighters can be drafted in to crew the town's fire engine.

At the moment, there are too few retained firefighters available to provide full 24-hour cover, except at weekends.

The crisis is the latest in a long line of problems for the Dog Lane fire station.

Five years ago, it was under threat of closure, and 8,000 residents helped persuade the then Hereford and Worcester County Council to keep it open.

Sub Officer Paul Gittins, who is in charge of the station, now hopes some of that community spirit is left to bring in more volunteer firefighters.

He has served at Bewdley for the past 34 years, but is due to retire later this year.

"We desperately need volunteers to come forward, otherwise me may lose the fire station for good," he said.

"I only hope some of those who supported us five years ago will come forward and volunteer now.

"I would do the job for ever if I could - it's exciting and very rewarding."

During the day, firefighters from Kidderminster and Stourport-on-Severn provide cover for the town between 7.30am and 5pm on weekdays.

Volunteers are needed to cover both evenings and weekends.

Retained firefighters receive an £1,881 annual fee, plus other payments for training and attendance at incidents.

They cover an area from Clows Top in the west to Button Oak in the north, and the West Midland Safari Park to the outskirts of Stourport.

Crews attend an average of 150 emergencies a year.

Volunteers must be aged 18 to 55, in good health and be able to reach the fire station within five minutes of being called out.