A DONATED minibus could be used to get drunk people home safely after nights on the town.

A church has donated a minibus to the Billericay Street Pastors in recognition of their excellent work in the community.

The white seventeen-seater transit was donated by the Billericay Baptist Church.

The community based Christian organisation take to the streets of Billericay High Street on a Friday and Saturday night in order to help the vulnerable.

Senior Minister Ian Smith, 50, from Billericay, said: “We donated the bus to them because of their presence on High Street.

“Every Friday and Saturday the team do good work, supporting people.

“They give out free bottles of water and flip flops to those who need it and you see on their Facebook page every morning people saying thanks to them.

“We recognise them as a really good Christian organisation and we support them.”

Previously, the Billericay Baptist Church used the mini bus for church events, for an elderly drop in on Tuesday mornings, and to offer a way of transport for those who can’t get to church on a Sunday.

The church wanted to introduce certain modifications for the elderly, who were struggling to get on and off the bus so they bought a new bus, which allowed these modifications to take place.

Ian added: “They really are a deserving organisation who do so much good. We saw they needed it and instead of selling it we donated it to them. At the end of the day, it costs nothing to be kind.”

Street pastor chairman Phillip Norton, 54, from Billericay, said: “We’re really excited, it’s going to be a really great asset for us to have.

“We’re really pleased to be supported by the Billericay Baptist church and other churches in the area. It’s a really positive thing.

“The bus will be used across Billericay and Basildon and also be used by the group as potential transport for the vulnerable if they need to get home.”