A SCHEME aimed nationally at reducing alcohol-fuelled late night violence has celebrated its first anniversary in Minehead.

Street pastors - Christian volunteers from the town's churches - have been out every Saturday night helping to steer revellers away from trouble.

But despite their own faith, the 20 workers have kept their own views to themselves.

Instead, they have spent the last 12 months handing out a total of 142 pairs of flip-flops, picking up more than 480 bottles and items of glass, making hundreds of contacts and supporting more than 50 vulnerable people.

Minehead Street Pastors co-ordinator Barbara Tunningley said: "Each Saturday we hand out flip flops to people struggling to walk home in their shoes and water to those who need rehydrating.

"We help people get home, chat with people who need to talk, help people who have been hurt, sit with people in distress and pray - when asked - with those who are in need.

"We never initiate faith related conversations, just offer love, care, flip flops, sweets, water and a shoulder to lean on, as well as try to steer people away from trouble."

The volunteers have put in more than 240 hours, patrolling from 10pm to 3pm.

Mrs Tunningley said many of those the pastors worked with were often seen by society as having caused their own problems, particularly those suffering the effects of drinking too much.

"But our care is offered without judgement. Regardless of the causes of pain, sickness or danger, each of our beneficiaries is still a human being, still someone's daughter or someone's brother."

The Minehead team started with13 volunteers but has built up to its current strength.

The street pastor scheme was launched nationally in 2003 and now has 250 projects around the UK.

"The scheme has proved to be a great success in Minehead, with both the police and local councils acknowledging the value of the extra resource," said Mrs Tunningley.