YOUNG people have been making amends for offences they have committed - by giving the local police station a spruce-up.

The young people, all of whom have been dealt with by North Yorkshire’s Youth Justice Service, have been painting fences at Malton police station.

Future tasks for others will include clearing an overgrown area at the rear of the station, clearing out garages, sweeping leaves, and general tidying and maintenance of the gardens.

The county’s executive member for youth services, Caroline Patmore, said: "This is an example of how young people who have committed an offence, usually of a minor nature, can make amends by putting something back into society."

And Inspector Tim Hutchinson added: "Doing something positive to repay society is an important part of the process of saying sorry and I am glad we have found constructive work around the building for these young people to do.

"It also saves some public money that otherwise we would have had to spend on maintenance.

"In the future I hope that other people and groups in Ryedale will come forward with suggestions of work, so that the benefit can be shared across the community."