A VOLUNTARY group which provides assistance in getting people home safely has been nominated for a prestigious award.

Windsor Street Angels has been put forward for the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service - less than four years since first being seen on the streets on Windsor.

The group, which started out with nine volunteers, now has 29 manning the streets between 9.30pm and 3.30am every Friday night and Saturday morning in the town centre and at the trains stations.

The Street Angels also volunteer on some Saturday nights and provide assistance during Royal Ascot.

PCSO David Bullock, who sits on the project's steering committee, said: “Street Angels is a very important community initiative that makes a huge difference to the town centre. We have outstanding volunteers who show huge commitment and a magnificent work ethic every week, going above and beyond to offer support to those in need.”

As well as offering a visible presence, the angels also give out lollies, water and flip flops. They offer soup and rolls to the homeless and will clear dangerous litter from the streets.

PCSO Bullock added: "It is a real honour to receive the nomination. It is a testament to the exceptional work of the volunteers and shows just how much Street Angels means to the community who nominated us."

Based at the Windsor Baptist Church in Victoria Street, the Street Angels has won the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Community Safety award on two occasions, as well as the Volunteer of the Year award.

The Queens Award for Voluntary Service is the highest honour to be given to voluntary groups in the UK, and the winners will be announced in June.

Anyone interested in volunteering to be a Street Angel must be over 18, have a DBS check and be willing to undertake the training programme provided which consists of conflict management, observational skills, first aid, autism awareness, radio use and homelessness awareness.

For more information contact PCSO Bullock via david.bullock@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk or 07816848231.