A GROUP of offenders looked more than happy to be giving something back to the Winsford community.

Meadow Bank Community Garden off Grange Lane got a good spring clean thanks to a team of ten convicts including Asa Garner, 18, and Christopher Bell, 18.

The land was littered with rubbish, glass and even shopping trolleys, making it impossible for the public to use.

So PCSO Stuart Bradshaw got in touch with the Probation Service to see if he could get hold of a few helping hands to sort things out.

He said: “I contacted the Community Payback team who came down to the site and risk assessed it and agreed that those on the Community Payback Scheme could come down and clear it.

“We spent all day there on Thursday and made great progress. Two vans full of rubbish were removed, but that was just the start. This is an on going project and we have plans to cut back the dead wood and even lay down pathways for a nature trail.

“We hope it will be restored to its former glory, fit to be used by the community again.”

Elaine Hamlett from Cheshire Probation Service added: “This is an excellent opportunity for the community to see the reparation made by the offenders and for the offenders to take an interest in improving their local areas.”

The Community payback scheme is looking for more community projects their offenders can work on. To suggest a scheme in Winsford, contact PCSO Stuart Bradshaw on 0845 458 6391 or email Winsford.npt@cheshire.pnn.police.uk.