TWO new Police Community Support Officers have been appointed to help fight crime in Burnley.

Former firefighter John Vickery has been appointed as PCSO for Brunshaw, replacing John Bent who left his post last month to begin training as a police constable.

And PCSO Andy Jackson, 20, replaces Vicky Malley in Lanehead who also left to join the regular force.

John, 33, has worked as an assistant manager in a tool hire firm and as a retained firefighter in Nelson.

He will join community beat manager Janet Cowley policing the area.

He said: "My most recent job was at Speedy's Tool Hire in Colne and I really enjoyed it. I also enjoyed my six year stint as a retained firefighter.

"However whilst both jobs were enjoyable I think a police career will offer more variety and give me a chance to really make a difference to the local community.

"I'm looking forward to joining PC Cowley and the Neighbourhood Response Officers already working in Brunshaw. There is a lot of good work being done by the police and others in this community to reduce crime and disorder and I am looking forward to making my contribution to this tremendous effort."

John, who is married with two children, lives in Pendle.

Andy, who hails from Greater Manchester, will patrol Lanehead alongside Community Beat Manager PC Janet Eaves. He has previously worked in retail and as a teaching assistant in Salford.

He said: "I've always wanted to work for the police service and I'm delighted to have been appointed as the PSCO for Lanehead.

"It's a completely new job for me, however having worked as a teaching assistant dealing with some of the most underprivileged children in the North West, I am sure that there are a number of skills I can bring to the job."

Andy has a few weeks left to finish his PCSO training but said: "I'm really looking forward to getting out and about on my beat and meeting some of the people who I will be working with and for."