A SPECIAL service was held at St Eustachius Church, Tavistock, to commission 15 new 'Street Pastors' — along with 25 Prayer Pastors — who are starting a new initiative by local churches to patrol the town on Saturday nights.

Teams of four will patrol the streets from 10pm until 2am, giving aid and assistance to those in need.

The initiative has the backing of West Devon Borough Council, Tavistock Town Council and Devon and Cornwall Police.

The pastors have been through a three- month, comprehensive training programme with input from youth and social workers, local police, and various organisations who have given talks and advice.

The scheme is led by the Ascension Trust and was instigated nationally following stabbings in Brixton, London in 2003.

Co-operation has also come from the successful Plymouth Street Pastors scheme, led by the Rev Stuart Clarke, who also spoke at the service.

Local co-ordinator Roger Bird said: 'There is a need among young people to know that there is someone to turn to in difficult circumstances, and we believe that churches can fulfill that need in a non-threatening, caring way, which expresses in practical terms, our Christian faith.'