A VOLUNTEER crisis in the area could lead to the closure of a St John Ambulance unit and a Scout group.

Tina Kongsgaard, who works for the St John Ambulance unit, based in Wycombe Road, Princes Risborough, said there were now only four or five volunteers at the unit.

The branch's meetings have been temporarily suspended due to a lack of staff. The service is still running.

In Longwick, the Scout group is currently without a leader and a meeting is planned to try and find a replacement to take charge of the troop.

Scout troops are having problems finding volunteers to help out despite the rising number of young people joining the groups.

Miss Kongsgaard said people were finding it very hard to mix long hours at work with voluntary work.

She said: "The main problem has probably been the fact there are less long-term residents in the area. The people who live here work long hours, commute a lot and don't have the time to volunteer."

She said there was a problem nationally with recruitment but the district officer was aware of the high cost of living specific to this area.

Miss Kongsgaard said: "If we manage to keep going there's a chance."

She said: "We just do first aid at the moment but we're looking to set up a cadet division."

St John Ambulance had a stall at the recent Risborough Street Fayre and helped at the 10km road race, as well as being on stand-by at events at Milton Keynes National Bowl, like the Robbie Williams concert.

It is looking for people who can help out in different ways, and volunteers do not have to have a knowledge of first aid.

Tina Brown, spokesman for the Scouts in Risborough, said there were problems trying to recruit pack leaders.

She said: There's lots of youngsters but if you haven't got leaders you can't run meetings properly."

The Scouts have a new programme of events coming up as well as a new uniform but need volunteers to help out.

Mrs Brown said: "We will be having a recruitment drive as well as a meeting shortly to find out exactly what the situation is."