A COMMUNITY project has received a £5,000 boost.

Cheshire West Street Pastors are one of 11 projects in the county to benefit from a Government scheme.

The Community Cashback project takes cashback from criminals’ seized assets, such as confiscated cash or property, and gives it to community projects.

Co-ordinator the Rev Trevor Beckett said: “Cheshire West Street Pastors is a Christian project where volunteers work to assist people in Chester city centre at night and in Ellesmere Port at community venues and events.”

There are currently 30 volunteers and the group would use the money to train an extra 20.

Mr Beckett said: “We offer our services to everyone regardless of whether they have faith or not.

“In Ellesmere Port as well as walking the streets, we visit a range of community buildings offering support and building bridges with the community.

“We are very grateful to have received a community cash back award as it will help with costs of the practical care we offer and meet some of the training costs, a big thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for us.”

The £4m national Community Cashback fund was announced in May and the Local Criminal Justice Board in Cheshire was able to submit project proposals for funding up to their area maximum of £95,000.

Successful bids needed to show how the community was involved in suggesting the project, demonstrate good value for money and related to tackling anti-social or criminal behaviour.

Cheshire Criminal Justice Board chairman Ian Rushton said:“We hope that Community Cashback has given people the opportunity to have a stronger voice in the criminal justice system in Cheshire.”