A CHURCH scheme which sees volunteers helping people in need in a town centre every Friday night is being extended to Saturdays.

Since September last year 20 street pastors from churches across Gravesend have been patrolling the town centre on Fridays from 11pm to 3am to help revellers in need. As well as removing hundreds of discarded glass bottles from the streets, they give out water, flip-flops for girls with feet sore from high-heels, and perform first aid.

The initiative has been such a success the churches are now looking to recruit more volunteers to patrol the town centre on Saturday nights.

Reverend Michael Fanstone, who is chairman of the management group of the programme in Gravesend, says it has been successful because “people see them as a friendly, non-threatening presence”.

Working closely with council CCTV operators and nightclub bouncers, the pastors find out where trouble is happening or about to happen and get there quickly to help.

Rev Fanstone, who is senior minister at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Windmill Street, added: “The pastors help in so many different situations.

“If a street pastor can get to a situation quickly they can diffuse the tension and help to calm everyone down so the police do not need to be involved.”

Kent police has praised the volunteers, with Chief Inspector Peter Ayling saying: “It’s a well run operation which has become part of our efforts to keep the town centre safe.”

To volunteer to be a street pastor, go to Emmanuel Baptist Church in Windmill Street, Gravesend, at 4pm on Sunday (May 9).

Alternatively, call 01474 568498 or email gravesend@streetpastors.org.uk