Brentwood people are being asked to help lighten the load of the victims of crime by making their appearance in court less of an ordeal.

Thurrock and Brentwood Victim Support is looking for volunteers so that its Witness Service - which has already proved a great success in crown courts - can be extended to local magistrates' courts.

Arthur Welsh, Victim Support manager, explained: "Giving evidence in court is widely accepted as a nerve wracking experience.

''If the witness has already suffered at the hands of the offender this can only add to the pressure they feel as they not only have to tell of the experience, they may also have to come face to face with the offender."

The service ensures witnesses will be greeted on their arrival at the court building and will be fully cared for during the duration of their stay.

They will be given the chance to visit the court prior to the hearing or can be visited at home to have what they can expect when they attend court explained in detail, and, if necessary, can even be accompanied in court.

Volunteers will receive full specialised training and should, hopefully, be able to contribute one day at court every two weeks.

Anyone interested in joining the project should call Victim Support's Grays office on 01375 382657 for an informal discussion or an application form.

Funding has been provided by the Government, but at this stage it is not yet clear whether it will be sufficient, meaning that as well as looking for new volunteers, Victim Support is also having to look for new sources of income.

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