Dorset’s fire brigade encouraged residents to ‘have a go’ as part of a recruitment drive to see more diversity in the service.

Weymouth Community Fire Station opened its doors to residents, eager to find out if a career fighting fires and saving lives could be for them.

The interactive activity day was one of six such events being held across the region by the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service to inspire under-represented parts of the community join the team.

Group manager Karen Adams said: “Basically, 95 per cent of the fire service are white males. So, we’re running these events to say to all parts of the community being a firefighter is a career choice for anyone.

“Women and BME (black and minority ethic) are particularly underrepresented so we are trying to break down some of the barriers.

"The long and short of it is a lot of women don’t think it is a career for them as they don’t think they are physically strong enough.

"While it is a demanding job, so much of the work we do is prevention and protection work in the community.”

The Saturday morning event aimed to dispel some myths and help potential applicants understand what working for the service would entail.

Visitors tried on kit, complete with the helmet and breathing apparatus, and took part in physical tests.

Karen said: “We’ve had more than twenty women come down today, and they have all been amazing. It’s been so nice to see strong and determined women.”

Karen, who has been in the service for 23 years, said she was the only female firefighter in Dorset for seven years when she first started.

Applications open next month and for those who complete the process, training is expected to begin in June next year.

Karen said: “At the end of the day, the best applications will be the ones that get through, whether that is a man or a woman, it’s not about giving anyone an advantage.”

Visit www.dwfire.org.uk/working-for-us/be-one-of-us