ARNSIDE Coastguard Station is searching for new recruits to help keep people safe on Morecambe Bay.

The rescue team, described as one of the best trained and equipped in the country, has four vacancies to fill and is holding a recruitment day on Saturday, June 6.

Nigel Capstick, station officer, told the Gazette: "Anyone who attends will have the opportunity to discuss what it means to be a volunteer coastguard and to learn more of what we do.

"Incidents in our area of Morecambe Bay have dropped sharply in the last 12 months, greatly helped by the Gazette's Safety on the Sands campaign. However, the Arnside team now has a larger area to cover with increased challenges, so keeping the team up to strength is paramount."

The team has four vacancies to fill and is looking for people aged 18 to 60 who live or work within 15 minutes of Arnside Coastguard Station; who are physically fit and also hold a full driving licence.

"Particularly we are looking to people from Arnside, Storth, Milnthorpe, Heversham, Levens, Hale, Yealand and Silverdale," said Mr Capstick.

"Arnside Coastguard Rescue Team is one of the best trained and equipped teams in the country and the only team to operate a rescue jet ski.

"As part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, coastguard teams are not only right in the front line in terms of rescue but also assist in the coordination of incidents at sea or on the coast of the UK.

"It is a great opportunity to be involved in saving lives and putting a huge amount back into the community."

The recruitment drive is from 10am to 4pm at the coastguard station, right at the end of Arnside promenade.