OFFENDERS have been paying the community back for their crimes by helping transform one of Darlington's parks.

The Friends of Eastbourne Park approached the Probation Service to see if they could help with renovating the area.

A group of low-risk offenders, who have been sentenced by the courts to complete unpaid work in the community, were chosen to take on some of the work.

Since they started at the park, the offenders have completed almost 100 hours of work, including cutting shrubs back and preparing the railings and main gates of the park for painting, which they began this week.

Darlington Borough Council's Street Scene team donated paint and other materials for the work.

Councillor Nick Wallis said: "I am delighted that the Probation Service has been able to help the Friends of Eastbourne Park make such a difference to the area - they have done a really good job."

Sue Hine, of the Probation Service, said: "This is an interesting project which benefits everyone who uses the park. This is what unpaid work in the community is about - getting offenders to pay back for their offences in a productive and useful way, and in a way that makes a difference to local people."