The doom and gloom of the recession has prompted more people in Lincolnshire to seek volunteering opportunities.

As a national week dedicated to volunteering kicks off, the Echo has discovered that Lincolnshire folk are the first in line to offer their services.

The British Red Cross has reported a rise in people coming forward for opportunities nationally.

And it says Lincolnshire is a veritable hot-spot of volunteering.

Red Cross Volunteering advisor for the Lincolnshire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire areas, Lesley Coombs (59) said numbers are up on last year. "For the first quarter of the year we have had 94 new volunteers start working, which is definite increase on that period last year.

"About 54 of those are from Lincolnshire.

"Normally the first quarter of the year is quite slow, but there seems to be more people coming forward to volunteer and we're going through the applications of another 111 people at the moment, most of whom are from Lincolnshire.

"In the current climate, there are a lot of people who are perhaps looking to retrain and volunteering is something that can give people the work sills to move into a different field.

"It can look great on a CV as well as being something that gives you a real sense of satisfaction."

For those wanting to get involved in volunteering, Voluntary Centre Services are holding an open day for potential volunteers at The healthy Hub on Beaumont Fee on Friday between 10am and 1pm.