Women will be urged to take up a challenge when they attend an awareness-raising event on job opportunities for females with Cleveland Fire Brigade tomorrow.

The session is organised by Cleveland Fire Brigade in partnership with Stockton Sixth Form College and Stockton Borough Council's adult education service.

It is part-funded by Tees Valley TEC, and is part of a campaign by the fire brigade to recruit female firefighters.

The event includes presentations on job opportunities for women, especially as firefighters, and training sessions on safety in the home.

David Eynon, human resources manager for Cleveland Fire Brigade said: "The brigade is committed to positive action initiatives such as this in order to increase the number of applications for full-time women firefighters.

"As a community service, there is a great benefit in having a service that reflects the community.

"At the moment, women and people from black and ethnic minorities are under-represented in the service."

Gail Henegan, access coordinator for the council said: "Even if no one takes up the challenge of being a female firefighter, we hope that the event will get across a very clear message that this is a job that women can do and that this message will be passed on to daughters, sisters and friends."