FIRE safety experts are appealing for a new recruit to help launch their latest campaign.

North Yorkshire Fire Brigade has teamed up with Scarborough's McCain Foods to create the character of Chippy McCain to promote their safety message over the danger of chip pan fires.

But now the volunteer recruited to don the chip suit has moved onto other things and campaign organisers are looking for a new chip-impersonator to come forward.

A stand-in donned the outfit yesterday for the first of a series of visits to schools, at Applegarth Primary, in Northallerton.

A fire brigade spokesman said: "We want somebody to wear the suit and support our community safety officer to reinforce the fire safety message to schools.

"We will tell them everything they need to know, so they don't need to previous experience, but they need to be outgoing."

Chippy McCain will also be at an Army open day at Marne Barracks at Catterick Garrison on Saturday, which will also feature live chip pan fire demonstrations.

Anyone interested in becoming a chip can contact Terry Glover at fire brigade headquarters on (01609) 780150.