Covid-19 has changed the Wrexham's night-time economy and its culture, it has been said.

If you've been on a night out in Wrexham of a weekend, chances are you'll have seen or met a Street Pastor.

We met with Wrexham Street Pastors coordinator Laurie Searle to get his thoughts on the work and challenges the city centre presents.

His group is made up of 22 volunteers who patrol the streets of the city centre on a Saturday night, as well as other nights when the need arises, doing what they can to make sure people enjoy their nights out safely and get home afterwards.

Mr Searle said: "Our first responsibility is to listen - to hear if there's someone in need, and what that need is.

"Then we try to help them with that need."

As well as offering those who need it a friendly ear, the Street Pastors engage with police, door staff and other partners - including medical practitioners at Hafan y Dref in Town Hill.

READ MORE: Wrexham welfare centre offering support and care on nights out

They pick up bottle and cans, like their Street Marshall colleagues who aim to reduce the number of potential weapons on the street, as well as handing out flip flops to women in high heels and water to those who need hydration.

"If people are in trouble we will either try to get them to Hafan y Dref or to a taxi rank," he explained.

"We'll even pay for them to get home."

Looking ahead to the run up to Christmas, he continued: "It's interesting - from a Police statistic, crime escalates towards Christmas.

READ MORE: Wrexham City Centre medical team ready for rise in demand

"And we do tend to be a little bit busier, but not significantly; not to the extent that we can really see it.

"But we have noticed since covid, the night-time economy from our perception has been slow in getting back to what it was.

"I think there's been a change in people's way of life with them having been forced to stay at home.

"They would rather order their takeaway and get their beer and stay at home. I think a majority of people haven't come back out on the streets like they used to.

"I think the cost of living has definitely had an impact as well, but if people want to go out and party, they will still go out and party."