A drive for volunteers to help the county's firefighters save lives has been launched through a new partnership.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service has teamed up with Voluntary Norfolk in a bid to recruit more good samaritans into its ranks to support crews working in the community as they spread their message of fire safety.

The service offers various roles for volunteers – who work to raise awareness of the risks fire can present – and Voluntary Norfolk is now seeking people to fill these roles.

Jonny Wood, team leader for the north, said one of the aims of the partnership was to promote the wider role the fire service plays.

'We're looking to get volunteers involved with the fire service so they can do a lot more and achieve a lot more,' he added.

'All the issues about safety in the home and smoke alarms, the service can help with and that's what volunteers would be trained to assist with.'

To celebrate the launch of the partnership an open day was held at North Walsham fire station yesterday. Visitors were able to find out more about volunteering and also enjoyed some ghoulish face painting.

To find out more drop into a Voluntary Norfolk branch in Cromer, Norwich, Great Yarmouth or Thetford.