AN MP has denied criticising a Kidderminster scheme that helps offenders get back on the straight and narrow.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff was keen to clarify his stance on the Oldington and Foley Park Community Network Project - which recycles electrical items and furniture to sell back on to the public - after recent claims in another newspaper that he had criticised the scheme.

The issue arose following the publication of a report on the Probation Service, which listed work placements for offenders.

The Press Association (PA) news agency revealed how some offenders took part in costume making and furniture restoration courses as part of their community punishments.

Mr Luff admitted he felt some of those ideas were inappropriate but added never, at any time, did he make direct criticism to the Ricketts Close Centre and had the "highest regard" for its work.

He said: "I wish to make clear that I have, at no time, made any criticism of the centre, nor would I ever make any such criticism because of the excellent work I understand it does."

He added: "If the PA report sensationalised or misinterpreted the report and my own remarks built on that report have been further misinterpreted as an attack on the centre, I regret that but it was emphatically not my intention.

"Indeed, my reading of the report led me to believe that these courses were being offered by commercial and educational institutions outside the county."

Conservative Party leader, David Cameron, visited the town's restoration centre earlier this year and praised the scheme.

The recent critical article, in another newspaper within the Wyre Forest area, came as a surprise to chief executive of the Kidderminster scheme, Ellen Green.

She added, however, she had resumed a "good working relationship" with Mr Luff.

She said: "We wish to make clear that we do not and will not offer courses in antique furniture restoration.

"Courses provided within the centre form part of a basic DIY and woodwork programme within the centre, aimed at re-skilling and up-skilling community payback placements alongside members of the community, while also raising the quality of the furniture on offer within the charity's showroom.

"The Oldington and Foley Park Community Network maintains that the emphasis of the original report puts an excellent and extremely successful service in a poor and misleading light but recognises this was not Mr Luff's intention in making his comments."