to 35 are potential targets.

But the force isn't searching for criminals. It's looking for locals who fit the description of a trainee Police officer.

Following a spate of resignations and retirements, Police chiefs have discovered they have vacancies and have ordered them to be filled.

For the first time in about two years, they are advertising trainee places rather than rely on the grapevine.

The vacancies are good news for would-be officers following Government economies that have led to personnel cuts.

The advertisements feature a motorcycle cop and boast: "We offer a career to be proud of.'' The ads say candidates for Police basic training must be honest, fit and able to stay cool under pressure. Men and women are being sought.

Acting Chief Inspector Tony Smith, in charge of recruiting, said yesterday: "We've scaled down the size of the force for the last year and now we find that we need to top it up.

"It's just a standard thing. Because of retirements, some resignations and some natural attrition, we're topping up again.'' Some years ads were not needed because enough suitable people applied without prompting, said acting Ch. Insp. Smith.

"Most of the recruiting is really word of mouth, and I think it's been a couple of years since we advertised.'' This time ads were needed because August was an unusual time of year to recruit.

"Also, people made enquiries and we told them we weren't recruiting. Now we are.'' He said the "vast majority'' of trainees stayed with the force after the course.

He declined to say how many trainees were being sought. But he added: "We've had quite a strong response so far.''