EAST Lancashire MP Gordon Prentice is backing a Home Office recruitment weekend for special constables later this month.

And he hopes it will lead to more of the part-time bobbies in the area.

The Home Office National Specials Weekend is February 21 to 23.

Pendle Labour backbencher Mr Prentice said: "I welcome the commitment to increase recruitment and the effectiveness of Special Constables.

"They make an enormous contribution to local policing and I am very keen to see more of them on our streets.

"Our police do a very tough job and the more help they can get, the better job they will do. I hope this weekend will encourage more people to become recruits -- especially in East Lancashire."