A scheme to give vulnerable or disabled people a place to go if they find themselves in need of a help while out and about will launch in Gorleston, near Great Yarmouth, today.

Gorleston's Safer Places Scheme, part of a national initiative and following similar schemes in Cromer and Dereham, will see various locations, including cafes and town centre shops, become designated 'safer places'. They will stickers in the windows and doorways to show people they can go inside and ask for assistance.

The scheme, run in association with Norfolk Constabulary, Gorleston Traders Association, Headway and The Friendship Group which incorporates Opening Doors, a learning disability charity, will launch at Gorleston Library at 10.30am.

PC Jason Howell, beat manager for Gorleston Safer Neighbourhood Team, who helped organise the scheme said: 'This project aims to make Gorleston a safer place to visit and supports some of the more vulnerable members of our community. By working together we can make Gorleston a friendlier place to visit and a safer place to shop.'

So far, the 15 designated 'Safer Places' are Wilkinsons, Sentiments, Barclays Bank, Magic City café, The Sunrise café, Peacocks, Barkers, the Library and TWA Schoenherr, Jay Jay's café, the Pavilion Theatre and Marina Bay Café, and the Co-op, Mesh and Ideal Food Shop.