FIRE stations across Lancashire have been told they must sign up more personnel from black and ethnic minority communities.

The ruling will particularly affect Hyndburn Community Fire Station, where none of the 10 retained firefighters are from ethnic minority groups, despite 12 per cent of the population being so.

But Great Harwood Fire Station is one of only three which does meet the criteria, along with Nelson and Rawtenstall.

Fire chiefs have outlined a series of recruitment targets for part-time firefighters at the other 10 stations.

County fire service performance director, Paul Richardson, warned that the lack of firefighters from particular ethnic groups could affect the service’s efforts in taking important safety messages to communities across Lancashire.

Naveed Sharif, community outreach development officer for Lancashire, said: “When there is such a diverse community, there will be diverse needs. There may be language barriers that exist, or cultural factors.

“We have changed from a reactive service to a proactive service and we work a lot more in the community. Community engagement now forms a huge part of the firefighter’s role to get the fire safety message across.”

Unlike full-time or day crews, retained firefighters are drawn up specifically from within a certain distance of the station – as they must be available at relatively short notice to answer 999 calls.