A CHARITY is to recruit its own "Dirty Dozen" for a humanitarian operation overseas.

Convicted shoplifters, burglars, car crooks and even muggers are being invited by Teesside charity, Convoy Aid, to see life in the raw in poverty-racked Romania.

Rod Jones, the charity's founder,who is an ex-jailbird, says the trip could be a life-changing experience - as a similar mission proved for him.

"I am sure that, had I visited Romania at a younger age than 40, it might have turned me from the way I was going, much earlier."

Mr Jones wants to take a team of ex-offenders to Romania in August to help with building repairs and painting and decorating at rundown orphanages and hospitals.

He has drawn his inspiration from the Second World War Hollywood epic in which Lee Marvin recruits a dozen prisoners for dangerous missions behind enemy lines.

He believes that one mercy mission to Romania will be enough to keep some, if not all of those who travel with him, on the straight and narrow.

"My first visit made me think money is not everything and I would like to pass on that experience. I would not have spend so much time in trouble," said Mr Jones.

"I want some young people to have the chance to see what it's like to have absolutely nothing. It's character-building. It's an awakener," said the 52-year-old, who says he has spent too much of his life behind bars.

He would expect volunteers to find sponsors to fund living expenses for the month they would spend in Romania, and would show them video footage of conditions in that country during a week's preparation before going out there.

Anyone interested in the challenge can phone Mr Jones on (01642) 790810, after 6pm.