CONVICTED criminals will help keep Worcestershire’s countryside neat and tidy as part of a two-year project.

Offenders who are sentenced by the courts to carry out unpaid work in the community will be clearing paths, painting benches and trimming hedges at sites all over the county after Worcestershire County Council’s Countryside Service teamed up with West Mercia Probation Trust.

A minibus will transport offenders – along with their tools, a portable toilet and hand washing facilities – to and from the parks and public rights of way where they work.

A probation officer will supervise the offenders at all times and work closely with the council’s countryside staff on appropriate set tasks.

The scheme will run for two years and will cover Worcester Woods Country Park; Hartlebury Common; St Wulstan’s Local Nature Reserve, Malvern; and Pershore Bridges Picnic Place.

Dan Barnett, the council’s countryside officer, said: “The Countryside Service can provide plenty of projects that will benefit the community, but for which no funding currently exists. This is a win-win- situation for everyone involved.”

Sara Atkins, West Mercia Probation Trust unit manager, welcomed the “excellent opportunity”. “This will provide interesting and challenging work for offenders that will be of direct benefit to the community,” she said.

“As well as offenders making reparation to the community, they will have the opportunity to acquire new skills and this could lead to improved employment opportunities.”

To find out more about the project, call Mr Barnett on 01905 766155 or go to worcestershire.gov.uk/countryside.