TWO new fire cadet units have opened their doors to new recruits in Hampshire.

Eastleigh Headquarters and Gosport Fire Station are set to take on a new batch of recruits aged 13-17 years old, following in the success of Ringwood Fire Station.

Having launched prior to the summer school break, cadets and volunteers were given the time to bond before their programme fully began in September.

Director of Operations, Stew Adamson said:

"I’m delighted that we’ve opened two brand new cadet units in Eastleigh and Gosport.

"Our volunteer instructors will deliver the national cadet programme, which gives 13-17 year olds the opportunity to develop their leadership, communication, firefighting and first aid skills.

"Supported by stations and the success of our Ringwood unit, the cadets will be able to use social action to make a real difference in their community."

The programme looks to give young people an opportunity to gain essential social, life, work, wellbeing skills and fire fighting training.

Cadet Watch Manager, Emily said:

"It’s really exciting to be using Ringwood’s fire engine in training then hear the bells go down and the retained crew dash in to take the fire engine out we were just practicing with. You don’t get more of a realistic experience than that."

The programme runs one evening a week during term time.