A VILLAGE hall is looking in pristine condition thanks to the efforts of offenders who were sentenced to do unpaid work in the community.

Bearpark Community Centre has been given a new lease of life by offenders who redecorated two staircases, a large main hall, corridors and toilets.

Three Probation Service staff supervised 43 offenders, who completed about 800 hours of work at the centre - worth more than £4,000 - as part of the enhanced community punishment orders.

Centre chairwoman Barbara Sewell said: "We are delighted with the work that has been done, as the centre is a popular venue and was in desperate need of some attention.

"Working with County Durham Probation Service has been a positive experience and we are very grateful, as without their help the work could not have been done due to cost implications."

The Probation Service's national director Roger Hill visited the centre and said: "I believe passionately that the intervention of probation staff with offenders makes our communities a safer place."