Police in Bradford have launched a poster campaign to swell the ranks of the Special Constabulary.

And now they are urging people to come on board and sign up to West Yorkshire Police after flooding the city centre with posters about the volunteer service.

In a major new recruitment drive for Special Constables, Bradford South Police will also be setting up information stands in the Kirkgate Centre and Asda supermarket next month.

The Force says Special Constables are a vital part of West Yorkshire Police and are given high quality training so they can work alongside regular police officers and support them in their everyday duties.

Special Constable Liaison Officer for Bradford South Police, PC Richard Walton, said Special Constables made a valuable contribution to community safety.

"We have put posters up in shops, libraries, civic buildings and the Bradford Interchange hoping that people will see it as a career opportunity for them," he said. "There are 48 Special Constables already working in the Bradford South division and we hope to double that number."

People who already give up their spare time for Bradford South Police include an accountant, a shop owner, students, a council employee, and an insurance business owner.

"We expect a lot of our Special Constables. In return they get to learn new skills and are involved in a full spectrum of policing activities, such as the Target initiative, police patrols, youth schemes, crime reduction and community projects."

All volunteers undergo rigorous recruitment and selection procedures before embarking on a challenging training programme. They only have to give a minimum of four hours a week.

"We would urge the people of Bradford to come on board and we want our Special Constables to reflect the diverse make-up of the district," added PC Walton.

Anyone interested in joining the Special Constabulary can contact PC Walton on 01274 376511 or they can get an application form from Bradford Central and Odsal Police Stations.

Details about the Special Constabulary are also available on the West Yorkshire Police website: www.westyorkshire.police.uk.

The recruitment stands will be in the Kirkgate Centre on February 23 and March 16 and then at Asda supermarket in Rooley Lane, Bradford, on February 10, 23 and March 16.

Twenty-eight-year-old Ceri Lloyd has been a Special Constable at Bradford South Police since October last year. She normally works as a community fire safety assistant for West Yorkshire Fire Service.

"I am interested in joining the police but wanted to get some experience to see if it's what I really want to do," she said. "The experiences I have had have helped to reinforce my ambitions." She said the training was demanding - but rewarding.

"I had the usual fears that because I was a Special Constable I would be landed with all the mundane jobs but I have been involved in lots of different jobs, such as traffic patrol, community beat patrol and I even worked alongside a Chief Superintendent during the bonfire weekend, which was quite daunting.

"The reality is that we do the same policing as normal police officers and we're made to feel part of the team," she added. "And you can't beat the feeling that you have done something worthwhile and done something to help the local community."