STREET pastors are stepping up their patrols in Cheltenham to help more drunken revellers.

Religious volunteers are already a common sight outside the town's clubs and bars on Saturday nights.

Their numbers have swelled to 37 and the successful project is to be a feature of Friday nights too.

The scheme also has the backing of three county stalwarts – as former Chief Constable Dr Timothy Brain, ex-chairman of the Police Authority Michael Browne and The Bishop of Tewkesbury the Rt Rev John Went become patrons.

Nigel Bennett, chairman of Cheltenham Street Pastors, said: "We are delighted. The scheme has been well received by people on the streets and the more people we can help the better."

The pastors work on a rota, with a team of six taking to the streets at the weekend.

As well as helping drunken and disorientated people find taxis and buses home, they hand out bottles of water and flip-flops to women struggling in high heels.

The pastors receive training for the role and many have been versed in potentially lifesaving skills.

Graham Ledger, one of the founding members of the scheme, said: "There are a significant amount of us who can resuscitate and have basic first aid skills. We have saved lives in the cold weather."

In February, two revellers, who fell unconscious in an alleyway off The Strand after drinking too much, were found in temperatures of -6C.

The Christian volunteers found the freezing pair after they had passed out, and called the authorities. Police say the men, who both survived, would almost certainly have died if they had not been discovered by the helpers.

Mr Ledger says the pastors have also provided emotional support since they first took to the streets last December.

"Just talking to people – or more importantly listening – can ease the pressure cooker where people are very bottled up," he added.

Inspector Jon Roberts, of Cheltenham town centre police, said: "The extension of the scheme is really good news. The pastors have been a tremendous help keeping vulnerable people safe when leaving nightclubs and preventing people becoming victims of crime.

"We think this will be a beneficial step for the town centre on busy evenings and it's encouraging that even more people want to make a difference."

The Friday night shifts will begin on August 6.