VILLAGERS are to benefit when free workers arrive to spruce up the parish.

After a landmark decision by Powick Parish Council, convicted criminals doing community work are being sent to the village for the first time.

Teams of six or seven offenders will get the chance to pay for their crimes by weeding gardens, painting walls and trimming hedges.

The council has called it "an offer we can't afford not to take" after the Probation Service attended a parish council meeting to offer workers.

Peter Jones, probation service supervisor, said: "You might think these people are no gooders, and label them criminals, but I want to allay the council's fears.

"Some of these people who come to us have jobs, families and their own businesses. They are people who have made mistakes in life, but haven't we all? We want to offer the services of these people to the council - it is free and will not cost a penny.

"The responsibility for the offenders is all ours. We will arrive at a specific time, the council can tell us what work it wants doing and we will do it and go.

"It's free labour, and we are looking for any projects in Powick."

Every convicted criminal punished with community work is referred to the probation service, who offer free labour to various groups and organisations across the county.

Powick council was offered the service several years ago, but declined the offer.

Councillor Andy Lamb, council chairman, said: "Basically, this is a scheme we can't afford not to use. It's a good idea and there is nothing wrong with it. We'll have to think about what work we want done."

Members of the council unanimously voted in favour of accepting the free labour and will draw up a list of tasks by April.