WEST Mercia Probation has won a £1m boost to tackle the problem of persistent young offenders.

The money will be used to launch a scheme allowing intensive supervision of offenders aged between 18-21 who would otherwise go to prison.

Chief probation officer David Chandler said: "A key to the scheme is the supervision of young offenders through electronic monitoring using tags combined with intensive levels of supervision to make sure the community is properly protected."

The scheme is being road tested in the West Mercia region and if successful will be extended across the whole country in two year's time.