OFFENDERS are carrying out unpaid work cleaning up Bolton's parks to make them greener and safer places to visit.

Criminals who have been convicted of minor offences, including shoplifting, theft and drug offences, have been helping out in Hall Lee Bank Park and open spaces around Egerton.

They have been cutting back trees, clearing rubbish and laying paths.

The clean-up campaign is part of the Bolton Council-led Green Spaces project, which is aimed at helping to reduce crime and the fear of crime by improving areas of open space.

Eventually, it is hoped that all park areas - numbering more than 40 - across Bolton will be given a facelift by the unpaid workers.

The clear-up is not the only way in which offenders are paying back their local communities.

Other work being carried out includes decorating, delivering leaflets, running lunch clubs and charity car washes. The offenders have been served with community orders, including an element of unpaid work.

The scheme is being run jointly by Bolton Council and the Probation Service.

Peter Seddon, unpaid work manager for Greater Manchester Probation Area, said: "Helping to make the environment cleaner and greener is a great way for offenders to pay back their local communities for the crimes they have committed.

"It can have a real and long-term positive impact on an area and help make sure that we have parks and open spaces that we can be proud of - places where people want to live and visit."

Cllr Ismail Ibrahim, the council's executive member for culture and community services, added: "This form of community payback encourages offenders to feel involved with their community and teaches them new skills.

"Improving parks and open spaces in Bolton will have a lasting positive effect on the whole area."

The Probation Service wants to hear from the public who have suggestions for what work offenders should do next.

Contact Greater Manchester Probation Area's Unpaid Work Unit in Bolton on 01204 842509 or fill out a suggestion form on the "community payback" section of our website www.gm-probation.org.uk