Ledbury is down to just one special constable, leading for a plea for more volunteers to step forward and put on the blue uniform.

The number has been reduced because one special has just resigned, and another recently joined the regulars.

Ledbury Police's Inspector Geoff Mayor, who made a plea for more specials at last week's Town Meeting in the Burgage Hall, said he would like to see perhaps "half-a dozen more specials" operating in the Ledbury area.

He said more special constables would boost public confidence concerning "police presence in Ledbury".

Insp. Mayor said: "We need as many as we can get. We have always struggled for some reason to recruit suitable people to come and join us as specials in Ledbury.

"It could be the responsibility of the job, even joining the specials involves a big training requirement."

Sgt Bob Wilson said that recruiting more specials was "vital" for policing in Ledbury.

"We are short staffed, and this is also about local people putting in an effort to police local areas," he said.

"We have tried two recruitment campaigns since I've been here, and we generated no interest whatsoever."

Sgt Wilson said that specials need not necessarily patrol just on Friday or Saturday nights.

"If someone can give up a morning in the week, I can find them something to do. To put a uniformed presence in the town centre. That would suit me," he said.

Information packs on how to apply to be a special are available in Worcester Road police station.

n Geoffrey Hopton, director if the Country Landowners Association for the Three Counties, is calling for a major increase in police resources, following the murder trial of Norfolk farmer, Tony Martin.

He said: "The Government must recognise the vulnerability of country populations, exposed by the Tony Martin trial, and tackle this problem by providing increased financial resources and personnel for the police forces, which have the job of safeguarding rural areas. These extra resources must be allocated to ensure that people in the country districts do not have to live in a climate of fear."