REVELLERS in Blackwood are the latest in Gwent to get a helping hand from church volunteers.

The Street Pastor scheme will be launched in Blackwood town centre tonight and involves 30 volunteers from local churches helping to keep people safe on Friday and Saturday nights.

They will be armed with first aid kits, water and flip flops to give women who have hurt their feet by wearing high heels.

Blackwood Methodist Church in High Street will also be open during the night offering tea and coffee.

A dozen local churches have signed up to the scheme and teams of two or three volunteers will patrol the town centre between 10pm and 2am, offering assistance to vulnerable people.

Volunteer Olga Williams, from Pontllanfraith, said: "We’ll be there to listen, help and care for people and it’s one way of showing the love outside the church by giving something to the community."

The street pastors have been trained to deal with alcohol and drug abuse, first aid and mental health issues and will work alongside Gwent Police and the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership.

The scheme was launched in Newport city centre in August.