PARISHIONERS showed the true spirit of Christmas as they laid on a festive feast for a group of criminals who have transformed their church grounds.

The offenders — who were carrying out community service as punishment for their crimes — sat down with churchgoers in Kearsley yesterday to enjoy the Christmas buffet.

The community payback team has been working at St John Fisher church in Manchester Road for the past two years.

Martin Cooney, community payback manager for Bolton, said: “I am thrilled that the project's beneficiaries think so highly of the work offenders have done that they made this kind gesture.

“It is right that offenders are held to account for their actions and payback to the community. But it means a lot to offenders that their work is valued, and so to be shown that in this way means a great deal.”

Eight criminals enjoyed the festive lunch — complete with Christmas crackers and party hats — and said it felt good to be treated like any other member of the community.

Paris Pennington, who is nearing the end of a 240-hour community order for fraud, said: "It has been great here and of all the places I've worked at, this is the best.

"I might come back as a volunteer when I'm finished as I've not got long left.

The 23-year-old mother-of-three, from Over Hulton, added: "One week I ripped my sock working and the people here got me another pair just like that.

“You are treated just like anyone else helping out which is nice.”

Every week the group spends a day mowing the grass, strimming the banks, sweeping the paths, planting bulbs and weeding to keep the grounds attractive to visitors.

They have worked in the grounds of the church, which is shared with Kearsley Mount Cottage, turning unkempt shrubs and grass into an immaculate garden.

The offenders are also studying for horticulture qualifications at Manchester College through their work at the church.

Dennis Shevelan, aged 75, a parishioner who has volunteered at the church for the past 10 years, said: "This place is unrecognisable from what it was like before and we have had a really consistent group in the last couple of years.

"It benefits them because they can see the improvements their work is having.

"It is difficult to get volunteers these days, especially with our parishioners being an ageing population.

"Many hands make light work and I would not be able to do it all alone."

Matthew Cumberbatch, from Hunger Hill, said: "It is nice that you are working to give something back to the community, and they clearly appreciate it as they've put this food on as a thank you.

"It is enjoyable being here helping Dennis out. The local community can enjoy the grounds here now because they are not overgrown."

The grounds of Roman Catholic church also contain the Schoenstatt shrine, a monument which is part of a German movement of Catholicism.

The St John Fisher project is run by Manchester College tutor James Fishwick, who supervises the group and encourages offenders to complete courses in subjects such as horticulture.

Kearsley councillor Liam Irving said: "I think it is an excellent scheme and all the effort from these people has been worth it.

"If you speak to some of the people involved, they just want a job or a break.

"And the work they are doing here would probably not be done without them."