Waltham Abbey Fire Station is set to hold a week-long recruitment event for anyone interested in becoming an on-call firefighter.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is calling for anyone aged over 18 and live or work within five minutes of the station on Sewardstone Road.

Over 500 on-call firefighters are currently employed to help protect and save Essex residents from emergencies and incidents.

Those looking to join must pass an assessment day including a fitness test, supported by the Service Fitness Team, where they will then begin evening training sessions.

New recruits must also attend drill nights, something they'll be expected to do throughout their career in order to keep their training and knowledge current.

A statement from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “They never know what they could be attending; it could be a road traffic collision, a field fire or even a chemical spill.

“On-call firefighters are not volunteers, they are paid for the time they are available to work, regardless of whether they are called out.”

On-call firefighters get paid based on their availability, on average between £4,000 and £8,000 a year, or even more.

Waltham Abbey Fire Station drop-in events will be held from Tuesday, February 4 and Saturday, February 8. For more information visit: essex-fire.gov.uk/wa