Fire engines are being taken off the road during the day because there is no one to crew them.

An alarming shortage of part-time firefighters is putting lives at risk because of delays in responding to emergency calls.

More than two thirds of fire stations across Sussex rely on part-time or retained firefighters.

But a recruitment crisis among these paid volunteers is affecting both East and West Sussex Fire Brigades.

The problem is especially acute in rural areas because few people work where they live.

Fire officers today issued their own 999 call, appealing for a housewives' army of volunteers to man their engines.

They want to draft in dozens of women to provide cover during the day.

Just six of East Sussex's 24 fire stations have full-time crews and there are serious staff shortages at nine stations.

Chief Fire Officer Des Prichard said: "There are times in the week when engines are taken off the run because there are not enough people to man them.

"That means an engine has got to come from another town or village and that causes a delay which could be crucial.

"A couple of minutes might not sound much but it could make all the difference in a life- or-death situation."

In other cases, engines are being sent out with the minimum complement of four firefighters. Ideally, each should have five or six.

West Sussex Fire Brigade needs to recruit at least 50 new part-timers. It has 28 stations, 19 of which rely on volunteer crews.

Station Officer Duncan Voice said: "We have got vacancies at every single one of our 19 retained stations.

"Of those, 11 have an urgent need for people to give cover.

"We'd like to break down the stereotypes and get more women coming forward to chat to us about what they can get out of the brigade."

Firefighter Sally Tugnutt, 37, is backing calls for more women in the service.

She has been a volunteer firefighter at Steyning fire station for the past eight years.

She said: "Because Steyning is so small, most people work away during the day. We're really desperate for new people. At times, we can't even staff the engine."

Mrs Tugnutt, of Godstalls Lane, Steyning, who is now on light duties because she is pregnant, said: "There is no reason women shouldn't get involved like I have.

"I would recommend it for the sense of teamwork and excitement."

Retained firefighters receive a yearly salary plus extra pay when they are called out or take part in training.

Potential recruits should contact East Sussex Fire Brigade on 01273 406200 or West Sussex Fire Brigade on 01903 228407.