A FIRE brigade is trying to attract more people from minority backgrounds after a survey showed more than 98 per cent of its workforce is white.

Cleveland Fire Brigade has launched an equality and inclusion strategy after figures showed it had just 1.7 per cent of staff from black or minority ethnic backgrounds.

However, the population of the Cleveland area is made up of 94.5 per cent white and 5.5 per cent ethnic minorities.

More than 82 per cent of the brigade's workforce is male, with just 17.7 per cent women.

The almost 600-strong workforce has 475 men and 102 women, with it has 567 white staff and only ten from ethnic minorities.

Chief Fire Officer Ian Hayton said: “Our world is changing, our communities are diverse and dynamic and we need to adapt and respond accordingly if we are to continue to keep people safe and build a brighter future for all.

“We want to create a work environment of equal opportunities that is free from discrimination and where people thrive and where everyone recognises the positive contribution and value of diversity.

“This commitment will help us build on the work we have already been doing and also learning from our experiences.”

The new Equality, Diversion and Inclusion Strategy for the next four years commits to having accessible services that understand the needs of different communities, a diverse workforce and a working environment that celebrates and supports equality, diversity and inclusion.

Chair of Cleveland Fire Authority, Councillor Jan Brunton Dobson, said: “As a fire and rescue authority, we firmly believe we can make a real positive difference to the safety and quality of lives of people in our communities and this strategy will help move that forward.”

Other key areas in the strategy include having political and professional leaders who promote equality, diversity and inclusion as well as procuring services which will help further equality in the workforce.