FROM house fires to road traffic incidents retained firefighters respond to calls 24 hours a day.

But Manningtree is struggling to find enough volunteers to fully man its station.

Based in Quay Street, the station has two fire engines, but often only enough volunteers to send one of them out to 999 calls.

A second has to be sent from Colchester or Dovercourt to cover emergencies.

And when it comes saving lives every second counts.

Station manager Quentin Sage has been a retained firefighter for 30 years and now trains new recruits from across the county.

“The biggest problem we have in recruiting is not many people know we are here” he said.