COUNCILLORS was to hear from volunteers who plan to help vulnerable town centre revellers before deciding on a funding bid.

Shropshire Street Angels – Oswestry has applied for assistance from Oswestry Town Council to buy equipment for its project, which is set to be run on Saturday evenings.

As it is a newly-founded group, councillors agreed to invite the group to talk about its activities at a future meeting.

Councillor Barry Edwards told the latest Finance and General Purposes Committee hearing that the group talked about inclusivety but pointed out part of the group's application, where it states: "Street Angels is a Christian charity although we welcome anyone as long as they are respectful of our Christian ethos.

"Evening meetings begin with prayer and reflection and volunteers may throughout the night discuss their faith, however we do not force this upon others."

Cllr Edwards said: "I just don't feel comfortable with that on Saturday nights in the town."

The application was for funds towards uniforms and "safety equipment such as contact phones and torches".

The group hopes to have around 20 people available to patrol in Oswestry on Saturday evenings.

In his application, group co-founder Tony Durnell said: "We know that there are vulnerable people either at pubs or clubs or leaving these premises.

"When these people are identified we take them to a safe place where they can sober up and we can arrange safe modes of transport to get them home safely.

"We also plan in the future to go out into the communities around the town and start bringing them together; with the diversity this town now has it is more important than ever to bring people together to understand each other."

The Street Angels have already received £1,000 from the West Mercia police and crime commissioner's office.

Welsh Frankton Mother's Union has donated £500 worth of goods, including first aid equipment.

Oswestry-based company MedAid Services Ltd has offered provide fully-trained paramedics and ambulances for payday weekends, while Shropshire Council had provided a town centre base which will act as a 'safe place' for vulnerable people.

The group is also seeking sponsorship from town business, Mr Durnell added.