The man who spearheaded a project with his wife to get a street pastor scheme running in Liskeard and Looe has died shortly before its launch.

Hugh Davies and his wife Sue initiated the project to train volunteers to patrol the streets of the two towns on Saturday nights and work in partnership with the police and other organisations to help people in need.

Mr Davies lost his battle with cancer following a short illness at the age of 68 on November 13.

Sue said: 'It is sad Hugh won't get to see it.

'But I am so pleased that it will be carried out and that Ralph Chase and his wife Clare have decided to take it on. We organised the training and attended the first few sessions before Hugh got too ill. It is wonderful to think that in the New Year street pastors will start their patrols.'

Thirteen street pastors and nine prayer pastors have finished their training and a commissioning service is to take place on Sunday. It is hoped the first group, made up of Christian volunteers, will carry out its first patrol in Liskeard on Saturday, January 8.

Street pastors will patrol the town late at night on Saturdays to listen, care and provide practical help to anyone in need of their assistance.

It is hoped the scheme will cover Looe in the near future once organisers have resolved problems concerning effective means of communication in the town.