FIREFIGHTERS from Chipping Norton are going to the theatre to help find some fresh recruits.

Members have been invited to join in the celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of the first show at Chipping Norton Theatre and to use the event to help their efforts to boost crew numbers.

They will join town residents at a special screening of the epic disaster movie, Towering Inferno, which was the theatre's very first show on August 29, 1975, when stars such as John Alderton and then Dr Who Tom Baker turned out for the historic event.

Chipping Norton's fire station is now three down on the full complement of 22 firefighters needed to crew its two engines, so more retained firefighters are needed. Station Officer John Baird, supervisory officer for the station, said the nature of rural communities was making it increasingly difficult to find retained firefighters.

"Most towns are now used as dormitory towns where people live but don't work, so it is often very hard to get day cover."

He added: "We are very fortunate that one of Chipping Norton's largest employers, Parker Knoll, has been very generous to the fire service by allowing its people to respond to fires.

"There are others and without the help of the local employers, I should think Chipping Norton's fire station would be under threat. It relies very much on their goodwill." The retained firefighters are paid a retainer and an extra sum for each incident they are called out to but they have to live within about a mile or about five minute's drive of the station to allow the crews to respond to swiftly.

"Remote stations have always been a problem because we try to get a fair balance of cover to man two appliances 24 hours a day," said Mr Baird, adding that he was grateful for the theatre's offer of help for the August 29 event, when there will also be a collection for the Fire Service Benevolent Fund. He added: "Any potential recruits who come up to us will be given advice and asked to come along on the next drill night for some selection tests."

Tickets for the August 29 show, which includes a display of fire memorabilia, cost £5.