VOLUNTEERS are being sought in Bury to make a police chief's vision a reality.

Hundreds of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Special Constables will be out in force this weekend in support of the second national Specials Recruitment Weekend.

The event is designed to demonstrate the wide range of operational duties performed by the Specials and the opportunities available for volunteers.

In a recent address to all GMP's 350 Special Constables, Chief Constable Michael Todd appealed for more volunteer crimebusters.

He said: "You form an extremely important part of GMP creating a further, visible police presence on the streets and playing an invaluable part in helping regular officers to meet operational policing needs across Greater Manchester.

"My one disappointment is that there are not enough Specials within the force. We now have 8,000 regular officers on the streets. I would like to see the number of Specials increase in line with this, creating an even larger, additional crime-fighting force."

Special Constabulary Chief Commandant David Gledhill said: "GMP is looking forward to successfully recruiting additional Special Constables this year. We will be working more closely with employers to communicate to them the benefits of the additional highly-transferable skills which staff can learn as members of the Special Constabulary, such as decision making, strategic planning and communication skills, as well as the excellent support schemes offered to volunteers by the police."

Anyone aged 18 and over who is interested in volunteering is asked to contact GMP's Recruitment Unit on 0161 856 2333 or log on to www.gmp-recruitment.co.uk