It will be a rather cold and frosty start to many parts of Gloucestershire this morning. Many drivers will have to scrape a thin layer of frost off their cars, as temperatures have reached only 1C.

A level two yellow cold weather alert was issued by the Met Office yesterday, which remains in place today. There is a 70 per cent possibility of severe cold and icy conditions between Friday to Sunday. There is also a chance of some snow during this period.

The weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery services.

As the day goes on it will feel slightly warmer, as temperatures will reach 5C today. In the afternoon there is a possibility of showers. This evening will continue to see some light rain with plenty of clouds forming. 

As families plan their weekends, motorists can find petrol as cheap as 104.9p and diesel as cheap as 111.9p

Petrol Prices

104.9p London Road Service Station, London Road, Gloucester, GL1 3HB

104.9p Tesco Gloucester, St Oswalds Road, Gloucester, GL1 2SG

104.9p Westgate Services, Westgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2RS

104.9p Sainsburys Gloucester Quays, St Ann Way, Gloucester, GL2 5SA

104.9p Morrisons Gloucester, Triangle Way, Triangle Park, Gloucester, GL1 1AH

Diesel Prices

111.9p Sainsburys Gloucester Quays, St Ann Way, Gloucester, GL2 5SA

111.9p London Road Service Station, London Road, Gloucester, GL1 3HB

111.9p Tesco Gloucester, St Oswalds Road, Gloucester, GL1 2SG

111.9p Morrisons Gloucester, Triangle Way, Triangle Park, Gloucester, GL1 1AH

111.9p Esso, Eastern Avenue, Tredworth, Gloucester, GL4 6QS

Glamour model Katie Price was crowned the winner of Celebrity Big Brother yesterday, as television personality Katie Hopkins came second.

Price, 36, was shocked when Hopkins was booted out in yesterday's live final, leaving her the only housemate in the house.

During her exit interview with host Emma Willis, she admitted that she had been given a hard time by housemates.

She also spoke fondly of her children, Harvey, 12, Princess, nine, Junior, seven, Jett, 17 months, and five-month-old daughter Bunny.

Husband Kieran Hayler was outside the studio yesterday waiting for his wife to leave the house. The 27-year-old was spotted alongside Katie's mum, Amy, in the audience cheering Price as she was crowned the winner on the hit Channel 5 reality show.

Firefighters were called to an incident in Hunters Way, in Stroud after a person became trapped in a collision.

Fire crews from Stroud and Gloucester South fire stations arrived at the scene at the junction of Hunters Way and Foxmore Lane yesterday evening at 6.32pm.

Two vehicles were involved in the collision and one female was injured and extricated by firefighters. She was treated at the scene by paramedics.

Longlevens Infant School is the next in line to receive a grant funded by Gloucestershire County Council's Active Together scheme.

The school has recently received £8,000 of funding to develop the existing outdoor play facilities, making them more appealing for children to use. This will include a new 'trim trail' obstacle course in the school grounds and improvements to the sports pitches.

The funding comes from Gloucestershire County Council's Active Together grant scheme, where each of the 53 electoral divisions in the county has £40,000 to increase sport and physical activity opportunities for local people. Successful bids need the backing of the local county councillor, which in this case is Councillor Kathy Williams.

Councillor Kathy Williams, county councillor for Longlevens, said: "Building a 'trim trail' is a fun idea that not only helps to get children active but also encourages them to appreciate nature. I hope these improvements to the outdoor spaces will encourage more children to play outside."

Head teacher Kerry Cunningham said: "We are very grateful for this funding from Cllr Kathy Williams and we are pleased we can improve our facilities for the children. This funding will help us deliver extra physical education lessons aiming to improve the children's balance and core strength whilst encouraging them to develop a love of active outdoor living."

Councillor Andrew Gravells, cabinet member for public health at Gloucestershire County Council, added: "It's important that children have the chance to get outdoors and have fun in the open air. I'm pleased that Active Together funding could make this happen. We are really keen to support more community groups in the county with the help of Active Together funding so I encourage people to get in touch with their ideas."

Pupils from Beech Green Primary School made a visit to their local church Saint James' in Quedgeley. The youngsters looked around the church and learnt a little about its history. 

There was also an opportunity to ask questions to Father John, Rector and Parish Priest. The youngsters then put their artistic skills to the test by copying some of the stained glass windows and objects scattered around the church.

Father John, Rector and Parish Priest said: "We welcome all the schools and local organisations in the area. Youngsters are taken back that the church is steeped in so much history dating back to the 12 century. Just before Christmas, Field Court Junior and Infants used the church for their annual carol service.

"We hold services for the local scout and guide groups too. The drawings undertaken by the youngsters were very colourful and it was amazing how they had managed to capture the various changes in the architecture. The drawings are now displayed on one of the walls in the church and everyone is very welcome to come and view them."

Parent Debbie Wyatt's son Thomas was among the group to visit the church. She said: "Thomas thoroughly enjoyed his visit, so much so that he expressed an interest in being christened. I'll be talking to Father John about this. I think it is great that children can interact in this way within the local community and learn about local history as well."

It was a great win for England last night in the Six Nations, fans celebrated with the traditional sing 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'. But where has the song come from and why is it so famous?

The song was created by African people enslaved in the US but England supporters were rumoured to have adopted the song when a group of schoolboys began singing it at Twickenham in 1988.

Dave Hales, from Market Bosworth Rugby Club, told BBC Radio Leicester: "We were in the North Stand having a bit of a good time, a good day. We started trying to get a few songs going. Various ones didn't really catch on.

"All of a sudden I started singing Swing Low and the next thing you know the crowd round us was singing it, then the whole North Stand seemed to be singing it, and then the whole ground seemed to be singing it.

"The atmosphere was just absolutely brilliant really. Absolutely fantastic."

Three young 'thugs' who robbed a frail 75 year old man of more than £1,500 after bursting into his bed-sit as he slept were jailed for 18 years between them on Friday.

Victim Alex Rainsford was asleep at home in Pembroke Street, Gloucester, when the masked gang - one of them a neighbour - got in with a key they had stolen from him about a week earlier.

One of the gang put a screwdriver to his throat during the robbery.

Mr Rainsford, who suffers from arthritis, diabetes and asthma, was so traumatised by the ordeal that he has since moved out of his bedsit, said prosecutor Julian Kesner.

Jason Wade, 20, of Worcester Street, Floyd Pulley, 24, of Pembroke Street and Joseph Roberts, 18, of Harescombe Drive all pleaded guilty to robbing Mr Rainsford of £1,540 on November 25, last year.

Jailing them, Judge Jamie Tabor QC said: "This was utterly cowardly thuggish behaviour."

He sentenced Pulley to six and a half years in prison, Wade to six years and Roberts to five and a half years in a young offender institution.

Mr Kesner told the court that Pulley lived in the bedsit above Mr Rainsford and knew he was in poor health and vulnerable.

Mr Rainsford had lived in his bedsit for fourteen years, he said.

It was about 6.20am on November 25 that Mr Rainsford was woken by the sound of people searching his bedroom.

"He asked 'what the helll are you doing?' and he reached into his bedside table and grabbed his wallet. One of the gang took hold of the wallet and another pushed a screwdriver into his throat. Nothing was said. When the screwdriver was at his throat he relinquished the wallet," said Mr Kesner.

"The intruders then left the room laughing.

"The police were called. Mr Rainsford had his suspicions about who it was and he told the police. They went upstairs to Pulley's bedsit but no-one was there. However Pulley and Wade later arrived there and were arrested. They each had on them their share of the £1,500 that had been taken.

"Roberts was not arrested at that time but later police learnt that Mr Rainsford's bank card had been used at a nearby cash machine. Images were looked at and Roberts was seen there. He was then also arrested. He had already spent £230 of his share of the money - he had purchased himself a new jacket. The key to Mr Rainsford's home was found, as was his bank card."

Mr Kesner said that in a victim statement Mr Rainsford told how the robbery had left him feeling unsettled and even more fragile than he had before.

"He says he felt helpless and the gang seemed to act as if they thought it was a joke. They were laughing and then switching from laughter to growling and shouting," Mr Kesner said.

"He says he has lost his appetite and has lost two stone in weight."

Mr Kesner said the pensioner added: "Afterwards I was terrified to stay in my flat but I was even more scared to leave."

Mr Rainsford is currently in hospital and plans are being made for him to move into a residential care home.

Mr Kesner said Wade had no previous criminal convictions. Roberts had convictions for possessing mephedrone and burglary. Pulley had criminal damage and a sexual offence on his record.

Lloyd Jenkins, for Roberts, told the court: "He foolishly took part in what can only be described as a cowardly attack on an elderly and vulnerable man. It must have been a terrifying ordeal for him."

At the age of 16 Roberts had been an 'ambassador' at Gloucester City Council but he had gone off the rails when his parents split up last September, he said.

Ramin Pakrooh, for Wade, said he regretted going through with the 'crude idea' to rob Mr Rainsford.

For Pulley, Sarah Jenkins said he has a 'problematic' drug habit. Mr Rainsford had not been verbally threatened or injured during the robbery, she said.

Jailing the trio, Judge Tabor said he had a duty to impose lengthy sentences in cases where criminals had preyed on the young, sick, weak and vulnerable.

Can the Top Gear boys improve the British ambulance service? Tune into tomorrow's episode of the hit BBC2 show to find out

Episode 3, of series 22 will see them bring a bit of Top Gear magic to the world of ambulances. Will Jeremy, Richard and James improve the response rates and speed up our propulsion of the sick and injured?

The other highlight of Sunday's show is a comeback for the Suzuki Liana Reasonably Priced Car, which means only one thing: an F1 driver is having a crack at the special motorsport lap board.

It will be aired on BBC 2 at 8pm tomorrow evening. 

Breakfasts will never be the same again, as today Marks and Spencer's have launched its guaranteed double-yolk eggs.

The British Free Range Double Yolkers are now being stocked in M&S stores nationwide.

Each egg will contain a minimum of two yolks, perfect for those weekend fry-ups. A box of six eggs will cost £2.75.

According to the British Egg Information Service, one in every thousand eggs on average is a double-yolker.

To guarantee an egg has at least two yolks, a method called 'candling' is used, where the eggs are held in front of a bright light, which shows the shadow of the yolks inside the shell.

Gloucester take on Harlequins in their final LV=Cup pool game at Kingsholm this afternoon and have gone into half time with a 13-7 lead.

They took the lead inside three minutes when Aled Thomas slotted a penalty between the posts from 35 metres.

Harlequins enjoyed a brief period of pressure in the Gloucester half but after Ollie Lindsay Hague went through with a jinking run, Dan Robson was able to collect Ugo Monye' grubber kick under no pressure behind the try line.

Both sides struggled to find any fluency but when Gloucester got the ball out to their vibrant young backs and ran with the ball they looked dangerous.

After a sweeping move, Steph Reynolds almost barged his way over in the left corner before being bundled into touch. However, Tom Hicks rose to win the resulting lineout and the Gloucester pack had too much for Quins, driving over the line with flanker Dan Thomas claiming the try. His namesake Aled added the extras.

After a series of infringements at the scrum Quins were penalised and although Aled Jones didn't connect with his kick cleanly, his penalty somehow sailed between the posts to increase Gloucester's lead to 13-0.

Harlequins turned down an opportunity to kick for the posts as they were awarded a penalty just before half time and it paid dividends as they moved the ball out quickly to the left and Ross Chisholm found Monye on the overlap to dive over in the corner. Ben Botica converted.

The Cherry and Whites have made two changes to the side that beat Ospreys 32-25 in the Anglo-Welsh competition last Saturday.

Dan Robson has replaced Callum Braley at scrum half, while Aleki Lutui is preferred to Darren Dawiduik at hooker.

There is also one positional change with Aled Thomas moving from full back to fly half in a swap with Billy Burns.

Gloucester need to win to have any chance of reaching the semi-finals and then hope that Saracens lose at home to Exeter tomorrow.

Follow the action live.

#GLOSvQUINS Tweets

Concern is growing over the puppy trade in Gloucestershire as figures show complaints about the controversial business have almost doubled.

Animal welfare charity the RSPCA received 24 complaints countywide over puppy trafficking and the trade in general in 2010.

But by the end of last year that figure rose to 39 which shows a sharp rise in the number of people keen to potentially cash in by rearing popular breeds.

Campaigner David Grimsell from Care and Respect Includes All Dogs said people have been breeding puppies in poor conditions for a profit without any regard for the animals' welfare.

He says many unscrupulous breeders do not give dogs the right veterinary care and claims genetic tests are not carried out so puppies are often born with debilitating conditions and behavioural problems, meaning they are killed off.

"Bitches are made to breed again and again and again, which is detrimental to their health," he said.

"After five or six years they will all get knocked on the head; quite literally. There's a total lack of commitment to dogs as individuals.

"The majority of dogs from puppy farms are never found and the assumption is they are bumped off."

There are no licensed puppy farms in the Gloucester area and only three registered in the Forest of Dean.

The black market is still proving to be vibrant, with dealers selling on puppies without the proper checks in place in Gloucestershire.

This was highlighted when Blakeney dog breeder Margaret Davies was caught and fined £300 for continuing to operate her farm after having her licence application refused.

There was evidence that she had continued to breed in excess of 78 puppies when she did not hold a licence.

Potential dog breeders must confirm to rigorous licensing conditions, as well as a code of practice for animal welfare. It is considered a puppy farm when, during a 12-month period, five or more litters are born to a bitch.

TRIBUTES have been paid to loving Lindy Germain who passed away following bouts of pneumonia and infections.

Lindy, who had learning difficulties and epilepsy, lived at Heighton House in Barnwood Road since 2011, where she was well thought of by staff.

She was born in Birmingham but later moved to Redditch in Worcestershire where she grew up with her parents, Joan and David and brothers Richard and Nick and sisters Annette and Yvonne.

Annette said: "Lindy had a happy childhood and coped well with her disabilities, with a lot of family support. Despite her difficulties Lindy had an engaging personality and won the hearts of many. She was a much loved daughter, sister and aunty who will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

"The staff at Heighton House made sure she was given opportunities to enhance her life despite her limitations. She never forgot the little things that made her feel secure and made her days more enjoyable."

Lindy would often attend day centres where she enjoyed various activities, including music, dancing, cooking and shopping, which were her favourites. She also enjoyed swimming and loved to horse ride at the Riding for the Disabled stables in Hereford.

However Lindy became very ill in October 2013 when she was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital with a swollen ankle.

An inquest at Gloucestershire Coroners Court, on Tuesday heard how Lindy who died on June 29 last year, visited the hospital several times between October 2013 and June 2014.

In May last year, Lindy, 51, became unwell with a urinary infection and then with a bout of aspiration pneumonia in June. She saw many doctors and consultants at the hospital including Dr Henry Steer, a consultant at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Senior coroner, Katy Skerrett decided Lindy died of natural causes but her pneumonia, fractured ankle, epilepsy and her limited ability to swallow contributed to her death.

Lindy's sister Annette Banon said: "The Inquest has been a difficult process, but has been handled sensitively by all involved. There were clearly a number of underlying factors for Lindy, but we are satisfied with the conclusion and as a family we will now be able to move on." 

Harjit Gill, the former Labour mayor of Gloucester, will be a keynote speaker at UKIP's spring conference.

Mr Gill left Labour to join Nigel Farage's party in December.

He has been personally invited by Mr Farage to be a keynote speaker at the party's Spring Conference in Margate. 

Mr Gill, 59, will speak on immigration and social cohesion. He said: "I'm delighted and honoured to be invited to speak."

Richard Ford, the UKIP candidate for Gloucester in the general election in May, added: "It's a wonderful accolade for Harjit, who is a huge asset to us in Gloucester. He is greatly respected, liked and experienced in the city's civic life and the prestige of speaking a major conference in the run up to the election can only raise the profile of Gloucester on the national stage. 

"He recently addressed the South West Young Independence conference in Bath and got a great reception. He speaks from the heart, with experience and authenticity, something sadly missing in Westminster's Punch and Judy political culture. We're all very excited by the invitation."

Rugby fans across Gloucester cheered on yesterday as England won the Six Nations game with Wales. Pubs across the city welcomed supporters as they watched England score 21 - 16 to Wales.

James Llewellyn, manager of The Regal pub, in Saint Aldate Street, said: "We did have a very good turnout and the atmosphere was great, it did help that England won. However we did have quite a few Welsh supporters too. We try to show as many rugby games as possible."

Tom Kennedy, owner of the Imperial Inn, in Northgate Street, said: "There was a not a great deal of people in, it is always a difficult one because the Welsh border is so close to us. The supporters in here yesterday were a mix of English and Welsh fans.

"This afternoon we are showing the Ireland V Italy game. Many are watching the home game today at Kingsholm between Gloucester V Harlequins. We are expecting many to come back here after for the Scotland V France match."

The Gloucester V Harlequins game will kick off at 3pm at the Kingsholm Rugby Stadium.

Lying on a bed with my knickers in my handbag and my legs wide open, I felt nervous about what was going to happen.

But don't worry, this isn't an incredibly inappropriate sexual experience I am sharing with the whole of Gloucester.

This is the story of my first smear test.

Going for a cervical smear isn't particularly high on a girl's to-do list, especially compared with checking fashion website Missguided for the latest dresses.

But last month I received the dreaded letter informing me that I was due for my first one and on the advice of my mother I booked my appointment right away.

Cervical cancer affects thousands of women each year and a smear test is an easy way to prevent it. Yet alarming statistics show that 20 per cent of women don't attend their appointment.

Lots of women worry that a smear test is embarrassing, but hopefully by sharing my experience, it will set some fears to rest.

The night before my smear test I was nervous. Very nervous. So I looked online for some advice.

Hundreds of forum users suggested I wear a skirt, plan something fun to do afterwards and take a family member or friend with you for moral support.

My trip to the doctors ended up being a full-on family outing. Mum crashed her car on the way home from her last smear (due to bad driving conditions rather than as a result of the test itself, I might add) and didn't want the same to happen to me.

My dad and dog came along just for the ride.

So there I was laid on a bed naked from the waist down with a paper sheet as a 'modesty cover' worrying that the nurse was going to notice my lack of waxing routine – I should clarify that my mum, dad and dog were not in the room with me at this point.

The nurse explained the procedure which involves a device called a speculum and another instrument that can best be described as a miniscule toilet brush.

Speculum. It's a word that I had never heard before and one I now rather enjoy saying. Speculum. For most women the only sight we get of a speculum is a fleeting glance in the hand of a nurse before it, um, disappears.

A turn of a cog and the speculum gently opened allowing the nurse to use the miniature toilet brush to scrape some cells from the cervix.

It was all done in a few seconds and apart from a slight bit of discomfort, it was pain free.

It's not a big deal at all, and so much better to have peace of mind. I now have to wait two weeks for the results, which in the scheme of things is much more daunting than the procedure itself. But if the results do come back showing an abnormality, at least I can deal with it early on.

If you have been called for a cervical smear test, do not put it off. It might not be your idea of fun but it is over in moments and could save your life.

Wannabe witches, wizards and muggles were welcomed to Stroud Library on Saturday for an afternoon of magical activities.

The library, in Lansdown, hosted a Harry Potter themed craft event for children and adults alike.

Actor Chris Rankin, who plays Percy Weasley in the film, was on hand to answer questions from Potter fans and there was even a visit from a live owl.

Youngsters, many dressed as their favourite Hogwarts characters, were also able to play a game of Quidditich, make their own wands and wizard hats, take part in colouring competitions and eat magical food.

The magical fun was not just for established Potter fans - library staff are hoping the event introduced new readers to J.K. Rowling's world of Harry Potter.

It was part of Harry Potter Book Night, organised by Bloomsbury Children's Books.

Prominent landmarks and the unique history of Gloucester have been compiled in a new book by a Dursley historian.

Author D.G. Amphlett has written a book with details about the fascinating buildings and monuments many Gloucester residents pass on a daily basis without a second look.

Gloucester - History You Can See documents the long and rich heritage which can be seen in the architecture all over the city from distinctive landmarks such as Gloucester Cathedral, built in AD 679, to the East Gate Market Portico, which built in 1855.

The author also reveals the areas that have connections with the brilliant people of Gloucester including Hubert Cecil Booth, the inventor of the vacuum cleaner and poet Ivor Gurney.

It is Mr Amplett's second book about the area, having written a guide to facts and figures of our city, titled Not a Guide to Gloucester, in 2012.

He said: "Gloucester is a very interesting city and has lots of religious history and monuments which are still here. There's also the cathedral and the industrial side to the city.

"There's lots of different things to write about. I've enjoyed finding out about the lives of people living in Gloucester at different times. For example it was really interesting finding that the candle in the centre of the Docks is for Ivor Gurney."

Gloucester - History You Can See covers the arrival of the Romans and the establishment of Glevum, features of the city in medieval, Tudor and Stuart times and how Gloucester evolved throughout the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries.

The book will be released with publishers The History Press in the coming weeks. It will be available in major book stores and online.

Mr Amplett has studied the history of the West Country for many years and has an MA in history.

He said: "I hope people who read the book will discover something about Gloucester they didn't realise before. Hopefully when they look at something in Gloucester they will know something more about the history behind it." 

HISTORY YOU CAN SEE

The New Inn

The New Inn, Northgate Street, is a fine example of a medieval coaching inn. It was built in about 1450 to accommodate the many pilgrims to St Peter's Abbey visiting the shrine of Edward II. Traditionally, the building of the New Inn has been ascribed to a monk: John de Twyning.

The King's Board

In Hillfield Gardens, London Road, although it originally stood in the middle of Westgate Street. It was given to Gloucester by Richard II (1367–99). One theory is its original function was a a preaching cross for use by friars. By 1580, it was in use as a butter market.

St Bartholomew's Hospital

Stands in the centre of the busy Westgate Island traffic system.

William Myparty built a house to accommodate the labourers constructing St Mary Magdalene's Hospital. Following completion, he gave the building as a hospital for the sick and dying.

St Oswald's Priory

The surviving ruins of the Saxon minster principally consist of a long north wall. It is pierced by a Norman arcade, dating from the mid-12th Century, which was inserted when the church was enlarged to include a north aisle.

St Michael's Tower

Standing at The Cross, it's believed to have been constructed between 1460–70 and is all left of a medieval church that once stretched a further 80ft east. The church was demolished in 1955 after being shut in 1940.

Organisers of Gloucester Car Boot & Flea Market are raising money for the Zac Evans Trust.

Popular 19-year-old Zac was killed in an alleged machete attack outside a pub in Tuffley last month and a fund has since been established in his memory.

His death has left the city reeling in shock and hundreds have donated to the fund which has so far raised close to £5,000 to cover the cost of his funeral.

His family are hoping that in the long-term the Trust can support youngsters like Zac.

Tom Wiggins and other sellers at the regular Hempsted Meadows car boot wanted to give the Zac Evans Trust a boost.

Organiser Bob Newby and his son Evan have agreed to pay 50 per cent of the sellers' pitch fees on Saturdays to the Zac Evans Trust for the entire month of February.

"It's a small gesture" said Evan.

"But the more people who come to sell stuff on a Saturday, the more that the Trust will benefit.

"It won't cost the sellers any extra, we will just donate half the income."

Gloucester Car Boot & Flea Market ais no newcomer to charitable efforts.

Since taking over the running of the market from Gloucester City Council last October, organisers have offered a free pitch space to any registered charity.

Bob said: "It's our way of putting something back and maybe highlighting a new way that charities can be supported."

Zac's grieving mother Sylvia has said the "love and warmth" from people across Gloucester are what is helping her cope with the loss of her beloved son.

Staff at Gods of Ink are busy planning a fundraising event at the Market Parade tattoo studio from noon to 11pm on Saturday, February 28.

There will be a raffle, photobooth, hot food and live music and staff will be tattooing a small design in memory of Zac for a small donation throughout the day.

Ewen Anthony Reynolds, 44, of Foley Close, Tuffley, is accused of murdering Zac and attempting to murder his friend Keaton Jones, 22.

FROM giving out flip flops when high heels become too painful to making sure clubbers make it home safe after a night out, Gloucester's Street Pastors have been described as the city's angels of the night. Reporter Kate Wilson discovers what this group of volunteers comes up against on an average Saturday night.

IT'S two o'clock in the morning, near freezing temperatures and an eerie silence surrounds Gloucester's city centre in the minutes before the bars let out.

Half a dozen volunteers patrol the streets armed with a first aid kit, bottled water, chocolate bars, hats, socks and flip flops.

They ensure the clubbers of Gloucester make it home safely after a night out watching over the city's residents like guardian angels.

And that is exactly how I would describe the Gloucester Street Pastors. They patrol the streets of the city centre until 5am every Saturday night – diffusing difficult situations, helping people get home safely and administering first aid where necessary.

"We don't go out because we think there is going to be trouble," explains Robert Kingston, Gloucester's Street Pastors secretary. "It is more about being on the streets helping those that find themselves in a vulnerable state."

In the five years since the Street Pastors have been patrolling Gloucester's city centre they have helped thousands of people either stay warm or get home safely.

"We had one young kid who had tried to call his mother to pick him up but he was so drunk he hadn't given her coherent instructions so she had driven around trying to find him before going back home," said Robert.

"Fortunately some members of the team spotted him and got a hold of his mother again and gave her the right directions to find him."

Deputy leader of Gloucester City Council, Jennie Dallimore has described the pastors as "Gloucester's angels of the night".

"Street Pastors are indeed playing a huge role in making Gloucester great," she said.

"I can honestly say that they play the role that many, including I, would not be the first to put themselves forward for, therefore in my eyes they are my heroes and Gloucester's angels of the night."

It's not just members of the council and the police who appreciate the fact that they give up their weekends to patrol the city centre in all weathers.

"We get so much respect and gratitude from the people who we interact with while we're on patrol," said Jenny, one of the patrollers.

"In the past we have had groups of youngsters come up to us and thank us for helping them out the week before.

"Of course we get some verbal heckling but for the most part I think people feel safer knowing we are out on the streets."

Street Pastors is an initiative of the Ascension Trust which is made up of a group of trained volunteers from local churches that care about their community.

For the pastors it's not just about getting drunk people home safely but also supporting vulnerable members of the community.

"We provide the homeless with blankets, socks and cups of coffee," explains Robert.

"It's very rare that someone will find themselves suddenly homeless, but we carry a sleeping bag with us just in case.

"If Jesus was around today then he would be out their patrolling the streets so we just try and live by his example."

They also complement the work of the police, in some cases helping to prevent serious incidents before they happen.

Chief inspector Neil Smith said: "They are the eyes and ears of our night time community. They are linked in to the radio system and the CCTV control room so that they can be directed to places where support is needed."

On occasion the pastors have removed as many as 55 glass objects in one night, all of which could be used as weapons if an altercation occurred.

"Pre-loading (drinking at home before going out) has become a trend for people on a night out so there are a lot of empty bottles left on the streets and we will collect them on patrol," explains Robert.

"It's not just about the fact they can be used as weapons but girls walking bare foot or very inebriated people can get seriously injured."

A humble group, they laugh off being described as the city's guardian angels doing a thankless job.

"Don't get me wrong when it's 2am and bitter cold it can sometimes feel like a struggle but really we just enjoy being out there interacting with the youngsters and knowing that we are helping to keep them safe," says Robert.

Now if that doesn't sound like a guardian angel then I don't know what is.