AN organisation finding community work for young offenders is setting up new projects around County Durham.

Last year, young people in the county carried out 4,000 hours of work in the community - including painting, decorating and renovation projects, after being ordered to do so by the courts.

The work is supervised by County Durham Youth Engagement Service, which is now looking for community organisations which could benefit.

Debbie Cooper, restorative justice manager for the service, said: "There are no labour costs and all work is supervised and carried out to a good standard.

"Young people and their supervisors are urgently looking for work which will benefit the community.

"The work must be for not-for-profit organisations and we are now urgently looking for new indoor sites for the winter months."

Organisations needing work should contact James Firn on (01388) 776685.