PARISH councillors have been discussing how convicted criminals could help spruce up a Worcestershire village.

Last month Powick Parish Council made the landmark decision to allow groups of six or seven offenders, who had been punished with community sentences, to undertake work in the village.

An officer from the Probation Service, which runs the scheme, had been at the meeting and told the council it was basically on offer of free labour.

The unanimous response was that it was an offer the village could not afford to turn down.

At this month's meeting, the councillors discussed possible sites for the work to be carried out on. The Powick playing fields, the church driveway - which was described as "a disgrace" and the churchyard were all suggested.

Council chairman Andy Lamb said, despite trying, he had not been able to contact probation to move the scheme on any further, but that he would continue to try.