Chesterfield town centre revellers who find themselves ill, injured, having lost personal belongings or in need of information or advice will be able to go to a single point on seven nights over Christmas.

The help point will have a dedicated emergency care practitioner, a technician from East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) and a vehicle continually at their disposal. Staff from other relevant specialist agencies plan to call at the point at various times.

It will operate from 8pm to 2am on December 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31.

Chesterfield Community Safety Partnership came up with the idea of the help point, which will be based in Rykneld Square, at the base of the crooked spire and close to the tourist information centre. It has been made possible by Home Office Crime Reduction funds.

The help point will give assistance to people with minor injuries or illnesses, including ones that result from drinking too much alcohol.  It will also be able to offer guidance on a wide range of issues – from losing house keys to getting separated from friends.

Julie Otter, Community Safety Officer with the Partnership said: “To be able to provide a multi-agency team to provide support on a variety of issues in the town centre is good news for everyone.

“It will provide an excellent service for people who have problems while they are out.”

The PCSO based at the help point will have constant radio contact with police officers in the area and so will be able to summon help immediately if required.

Ian Palfreyman, Community Safety Inspector for Chesterfield, said: “We hope the team will help people feel safe. It will be able to deal in particular with alcohol-related issues very quickly.”