CUMBRIA Constabulary has welcomed news that more than 300 people in the county are interested in joining the police force.

The first-ever national recruitment campaign has attracted nearly 15,000 inquiries - including 314 in Cumbria - from people considering becoming police officers.

While Cumbria police usually has little difficulty filling vacancies, force press officer Mike Smith welcomed the Home Office-run campaign, which aims to help police take on an extra 9,000 officers over the next three years.

The county's constabulary replaces up to 60 officers who retire or leave the force each year.

In addition, it plans to recruit a further 74 extra officers over the next three years - 25 this year, 23 next year and 26 in 2002 - as part of the government-funded recruitment drive.

Mr Smith said: "Policing in Cumbria has traditionally been seen as a popular career choice and Cumbria Constabulary is fortunate in that it's been able to attract sufficient recruits to fill vacancies that arise."

However, the recruitment campaign should help the force to recruit more officers from ethnic minority backgrounds, he said, adding: "We have recognised the need to attract candidates from outside the county because of our small ethnic minority population."