CHURCH-goers are set to hit the streets of Bromsgrove’s town centre for this first time this Friday, July 27.

Bromsgrove Street Pastors offer support to over-exhuberent and depressed people, particularly binge drinkers and late night revellers.

Pastors will patrol Bromsgrove town centre every Friday from 10pm to 4am the following morning. It is hoped the scheme will be extended to Saturday nights in the near future.

On Friday, to launch the scheme, there will be a service of blessing and a dedication for the pastors at St John’s Church, off Kidderminster Road, from 6pm.

The vicar of St John’s, Reverend Chris Wingfield, has been calling for the introduction of the project in Bromsgrove, having seen it run successfully at his previous parish in Ipswich.

Bromsgrove Street Pastors is a joint project between Churches Together in Bromsgrove, and the Ascension Trust.

The scheme is being supported by Bromsgrove District Council, Worcestershire County Council, and West Mercia Police.

Among those attending the launch will be council and police representatives, members of the court leet, Bromsgrove Community Safety Partnership, and town MP Sajid Javid.

Reverend Les Isaac founded the original street pastors scheme in Brixton in 2003, and it proved so successful it went on to be adopted by town and city centres nationally.

Rev Isaac, who was awarded an OBE for his work in June, will be appearing at the launch.

Jo Paveley, spokesman for the Bromsgrove Street Pastors, said: “Bromsgrove doesn’t have masses of nightlife, but we do have a number of pubs and a club where people like to go to have fun.

“That isn’t always as much fun though for people that live and work in the town centre, when others are leaving to go home.

“As street pastors we aim to care, help and listen - where that’s needed - so that we can help make Bromsgrove a better place for everyone.”

For more details about the scheme see bromsgrove.streetpastors.org.uk, or email bromsgrove@streetpastors.or.uk.