THE heat is on for a Kidderminster-based rescue service which has been given use of thermal imaging equipment to find missing persons.

The equipment can not only detect a person's body heat but also areas of extreme cold, said Mark Sanderson of Central Counties Search and Rescue Association.

The association was set up by Mr Sanderson after schoolgirl Sarah Payne went missing in 2000.

Volunteers have since helped police in the search for Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells, who disappeared from Soham in Cambridgeshire in 2002 and earlier this month members rejoined the search for missing Dudley teenager Natalie Putt.

Mr Sanderson said the association hoped to buy the thermal imaging equipment after its successful trial but needed more volunteers to continue its good work.

"We need volunteers for the search side and the medical side," he said.

"The medical side backs up the search side but we need about 10 more people there and about two or three more people to help with the searches."

He said training would be given to volunteers and the work was highly rewarding.

"You do get a buzz from it," he added.

The association was going from strength to strength and had just bought a new ambulance to add to its fleet of search vehicles, he said. Only more volunteers, however, could make the service an even greater success.

"We currently have 15 volunteers who come from all walks of life, and all have one aim - to help the community in time of need," he said.