IT was sad to see in your report regarding the couple recently moved to Bournemouth from Cambridge planning to set up Town Pastors under the umbrella of Faithworks Wessex (Town Pastors to help look after revellers on the streets of Bournemouth, July 18) that no mention was made of the Bournemouth Nightclub Outreach Work which has been working in the town for 16 years doing precisely the same work.

Over the past 16 years we have built up good relationships with the nightclub managers, the police, the emergency services, the Safe Bus, the universities, local churches and Bournemouth Borough Council.

We are tremendously grateful for all the support and interest shown in the work from so many people and groups, which we do not take for granted. Without the support and involvement of so many people this important work could not continue.

Earlier this year we did offer the couple concerned the opportunity of working with us and also exploring the possibility of them becoming trustees. We did so as we believe it makes more sense to work together rather than setting up a separate organisation to do the same work.

Sadly they declined that offer and decided to set up a separate organisation.

We are not wishing to appear defensive regarding our own work; rather we would have preferred to see a working together within one charity.

Philip Johanson, OBE Chairman, Trustees

Bournemouth Nightclub Outreach Work, Stourwood Avenue, Bournemouth