A GROUP of Banbury’s faithful will be taking to the streets to help shepherd home those who are worse for wear.

The town is the latest in Oxfordshire to boast street pastors, an interdenominational Christian group which aims to help late night revellers get home safely.

Area coordinator Geoff Scales said: “We are tremendously excited.

“We began patrolling on Friday night and we have already been able to do some good. We came across a group of teenage girls who had consumed too much alcohol and we were able to call an ambulance.”

Earlier in the day, a service was held at Malborough Road Methodist Church to launch the street pastor group.

The service was attended by police officers and members of the local pubwatch scheme.

There are 17 volunteer pastors who patrol the streets of the town centre between 10pm and 4am.