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Revellers on a drunken night in Taunton now don't have to rely just on their friends to look out for them as now a group of local Christians will be walking the street late at night offering help to those that need it.

Street Pastors have roamed over 50 towns and cities across the UK including in Weston-Super-Mare. They offer help and advice to those who are lost, in need of a taxi or medical attention or even just need someone to talk to.

Flip-flops were handed out

Since the scheme was introduced, crime levels have reduced, often dramatically and in five years of operation, no street pastor has been injured.

Volunteers are active church members. They undergo a series of training sessions on youth culture, drugs and homelessness.

While on patrol, they wear a distinctive uniform and radio communication is maintained with the town centre's CCTV control centre, police and licensed premises' door staff. 

Organiser Adrian Prior-Sankey said they received a warm reception. He said he enjoyed it very much and that they were able to give out practical as well as spiritual advice.

They handed out flip-flops to girls who had lost their shoes and picked up broken glass so that it couldn't be used as a weapon.

One reveller said: "It's a brilliant idea. I'm actually quite gobsmacked." While another said it was "unreal as they were the peaceful people on the streets". 

BBC Somerset's Matt Botten joined them

Matt Botten, BBC Somerset's reporter who's no stranger to Taunton's nightlife, joined the pastors on their first night out.

"The reaction to the street pastors was quite different to what I expected.

"Rather than defending themselves against insults, the group spent the majority of the evening joking with drinkers and ensuring drunken 'debates' didn't escalate into full blown arguments.

"Some people were genuinely shocked that anyone would offer to spend their Saturday night on the streets helping clubbers, while others were just pleased of the assistance being offered."