Most people are confident that if they were involved in a blaze or a bad traffic accident, the fire brigade would be on the scene within minutes.

But that is not always so at Keymer, near Hassocks, where a shortage of firefighters means some emergency calls have been turned down.

Retained firemen and women, able to turn out at extremely short notice, are needed both at Keymer and at Forest Row, near East Grinstead.

Here is a chance for fit and active people to play a real part in helping their community.

If they do not, there is a danger the Keymer fire station will close and that local emergencies will be dealt with from Burgess Hill.

That will add minutes to each call out, increasing the danger in serious crashes or fires.