A particulate desulfurization material includes one or more nickel compounds, a zinc oxide support material, and one or more alkali metal compounds wherein the nickel content of the material is in the range 0.3 to 10% by weight and the alkali metal content of the material is in the range 0.2 to 10% by weight. A method of making the desulfurization material includes the steps: (i) contacting a nickel compound with a particulate zinc support material and an alkali metal compound to form an alkali-doped composition, (ii) shaping the alkali-doped composition, and (iii) drying, calcining, and optionally reducing the resulting material. The desulfurization material may be used to desulfurize hydrocarbon gas streams with reduced levels of hydrocarbon hydrogenolysis.