A REDDITCH Council-run scheme which aims to get the long-term unemployed back to work has proved such a success, it is being looked at by authorities across the country.

The Environmental Task Force was set up last year and was originally targeted at the under-25s who were having trouble finding work.

It aimed to teach clients new skills, gain experience in landscaping and horticulture and work towards City and Guilds qualifications.

But after a slow start, the scheme was opened up to the over-25s and a number of projects were undertaken, including tidying up gardens in Salters Lane, Batchley, and work at Arrow Valley Park.

Supervisor Mick Pinfold, 42, said: "The scheme is aimed at people who can't find work and have domestic or social problems.

''Some have learning difficulties and some have been in prison."

The scheme has seen nine people find work after completion of either a 13 or 26-week course and many have come back on a volunteer basis.

Mr Pinfold said the scheme had proved such a success he was giving presentations to authorities across the country who were interested in setting up their own initiatives.

And The Local Government National Training Organisation (LGNTO) is also looking at using the scheme to demonstrate best practice.

Organisers are now hoping to extend funding, which comes from Worcestershire County Council and Redditch Council, to allow clients to obtain their driving licences.

Client Jeff Watson, 24, has been on the course for 22 weeks and is working towards a City and Guilds qualification in conservation.

He said: "I really want to get my driving licence and set up my own business in landscape maintenance."

Mick Halford, 36, was unemployed for two years before the JobCentre told him about the task force.

He said: "This is my seventh week and I have eight left and hopefully I'll find a job at the end of it.

"It's very interesting and I enjoy it, especially when we did the gardens at Jobson House."

Ian Pulley, 33, has been unemployed for four years and has come back to the task force as a volunteer after completing a course last year.