HUNDREDS of people have applied to become Special Constable with North Yorkshire Police.

A month-long recruitment campaign ended today, with a record number of 276 applications received.

However, more people gave up on the application, as North Yorkshire Police said another 341 people started an application but did not finish it.

Another 11 applicants failed screening questions for the role, and one person withdrew their application.

Chief Constable Dave Jones is also the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for Citizens in Policing, and said he was pleased to see the increase in applicants on last year's recruitment campaign.

Mr Jones said: "We are delighted with the number of applications this year, which shows an increase of nearly 100 applicants compared to our campaign at the same time last year.

"I would like to thank everyone for applying to join North Yorkshire Police as a Special and wish them the very best of luck as they go through the next stages of what is a very stringent assessment process. The successful applicants will be joining a great team of officers who work is appreciated by their regular colleagues and members of the public alike."

Applicants will now be shortlisted and go through a selection process before they are allowed to join the force's 198 current Specials, who have the same uniform and powers as paid officers.