NEW uniforms to allow fire service workers to wear traditional cultural and religious clothing have been announced.

It is hoped the move will increase the number of ethnic minorities joining the service in Lancashire.

Nationally less than five per cent of fire service workers are from ethnic minorities and in Lancashire most are community safety officers, rather than firefighters.

New uniform proposals include hijabs (headscarfs), full length skirts, long sleeved shirts and turban options. The changes affect fire kit and station uniforms.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire Service said: “We are sensitive to the needs of people from ethnic minorities and encourage applications from minority groups.

“The outfits offered to staff are already gender sensitive and we do allow for religious observation where we can.”

Fire minister Sadiq Khan said a key aim in developing the clothing options was to encourage more people to consider a career in the fire service.

He said: “We want the widest range of applicants to apply to join.

“The uniform now available shows that cultural beliefs are being recognised, as we seek to increase the representation of ethnic minorities within service.”

Jagtar Singh, from the Asian Fire Service Association, said: “We are pleased to note that the Fire Service is now taking seriously the issues of culture and religious belief when purchasing corporate and protective clothing for firefighters.”