'Selfless' volunteer street pastors who have been hailed for saving lives in Inverclyde are expanding their successful night support with shorter day patrols.

The good Samaritans have heard directly from people they have helped that they have saved them from taking their own lives - and the service has been praised by Police Scotland.

The Inverclyde Street Pastor are currently out about at weekends around pubs and clubs until 4am.

And number of kind-hearted volunteers are now such that they are introducing shorter day patrols, initially in Greenock and in much of the same areas that they operate within in the town centre at night.

Alistair McAlees, co-ordinator, said: "Mental health generally has deteriorated for so many in recent times and we so glad to be able to be out there, so far at weekends around the pubs and clubs until 4am in the morning.

"We have even had a number of people coming back and telling us that chats with us have stopped their intended suicides."

Both the Street Pastors and Rail Pastors, are a group of trained volunteers from across the various Christian denominations and supported and run locally by Inverclyde Christian Initiative. 

Street Pastors operate as an agreement with the local police and local authority and are able to deal with a number of issues which otherwise would be left to officers.

The police have heaped praise on the valuable volunteers and are looking forward to working with them this summer and in the days ahead.

Seargent Scott Clark, from Greenock Police, paid tribute to the 'exceptional and invaluable work' of the Street Pastors in Inverclyde.

He said: "The Street Pastors are a dedicated group of people who support our community, offer comfort, aid and a listening ear to those in need.

"They selflessly give up their time and energy to make the streets safer and our community stronger. They patrol the streets into the wee hours alongside Police Scotland.

"The Street Pastors provide assistance to vulnerable individuals, offering a kind word to those in distress and ensuring that people they meet get home safely.

"This engagement has driven down the need for calls to the Ambulance Service as well as reducing the need for police to make arrests to keep the peace.

"Their impact goes far beyond just providing physical assistance. They are a symbol of compassion, empathy and unity.

"By showing kindness and understanding to those who are struggling, they not only offer immediate help but also sow seeds of positivity and hope that can inspire lasting change to peoples' lives.

"Their commitment, dedication and selflessness serve as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the profound impact that a small act of kindness can have on the world around us."

He added: "As ever, we would like to recruit more volunteers to this wonderful ministry and would encourage anyone with a Christian and church background and at least 18 years of age with a heart of our local community to get in touch by email to inverclyde@streetpastors.org.uk or by phone to 07740 201 853."