A CADET group which grew out of the campaign to try and save Haworth’s Fire Station is looking for a home of its own.

The Haworth & Worth Valley Fire Cadets are seeking help to find a suitable premises.

But Haworth resident Steve Thorpe, a founder of the group, said the mission was proving “very challenging”.

“Our organisation is going from strength-to-strength since its formation almost three years ago,” he added.

“We now have three fully qualified, ex-firefighter instructors running our 10-week courses.

“There’s always a long list of new recruits, such is the group’s popularity. “The cadets cover a wide range of activities such as hose skills, using fire extinguishers, map reading and fitness drills.

“We do pumping out exercises at Ponden and Weecher reservoirs, in conjunction with Yorkshire Water.

“The cadets have exciting new links planned later this year with the Keighley Police Cadets, where both teams will work together on mock scenarios.”

Mr Thorpe said the Haworth and Worth Valley-based group has “brilliant” sponsors who help make the project possible.

He explained: “They help look after the fire appliance we have access to, ensuring it’s kept fully functional.

“We’re always looking for new ideas for fundraising, as well as additional sources of money we can apply for.

“This is so important. The organisation is expensive to run due to the equipment we’re working with and the kit we must buy to make sure the cadets are safe and fully equipped.

“Since we lost our bid to acquire the old Haworth Fire Station we’ve been looking for somewhere to call home.

“Ideally, we need a piece of land to build a garage large enough for a fire engine, with a small meeting/store room and some outdoor space.

“Or we’d need an old building that we can convert into the cadets’ base.

“We’re appealing to anyone who might be able to help us find a base in the Worth Valley area.

“If we manage to secure a new base of operations, this will massively help us in achieving our goals for the future.”

People who can help the fire cadets group can call Mr Thorpe on 079696 58743, or e-mail gardening@steve-thorpe.co.uk