By Hayley Robinson

Rowdy town centre revellers will become the focus of Christian volunteers.

From November a task force of Street Pastors will be in Sittingbourne High Street helping worse-for-wear drinkers as they spill out of pubs and clubs.

Two teams consisting of three volunteers will venture out once a week during the early hours of the morning armed with a bag containing flip flops for girls seen walking barefoot, lighters, bottles of water, sweets to help boost low sugar levels, blankets and a first aid kit to deal with minor injuries.

Their uniform of a navy blue T-shirt, baseball cap and waterproof jacket all bearing the words Street Pastor means they can easily be identified.

Co-ordinator Major David Ramsay (pictured), of the Milton branch of the Salvation Army, admits sceptics might question their motives but says the gracious gesture is not about preaching heaven and hell but one of caring, listening and keeping young vulnerable people safe.

He said: "It's Christian faith and about caring for our community in a non-judgemental way. There is no 'Bible bashing'.

"If someone gets too drunk we will try to help them and make sure they get home as safely as possible. It's about being genuinely aware of people's needs at that time of night. But if they don't want help we'll back off.

"We don't work for the police and anything we are handed or told is confidential, it won't be passed on to the police."

The scheme, which is already operating successfully in Medway and Maidstone, was instigated by 11 of the town's churches.

It cost £21,000 to get it off the ground, with funding coming from all of the churches involved, Swale council and Kent Police. Running costs are estimated to be £6,000 a year.

Eighteen people who volunteered for the scheme will finish training to become Street Pastors next Friday. The youngest volunteer is a 21-year-old man and the eldest is a 60-year-old woman.

It is hoped the Sittingbourne scheme will eventually have 50 volunteers, who must be older than 18 and be recommended by their vicar, pastor or minister.

For more information visit www.streetpastors.co.uk