By Thom Kennedy Penrith reporter

Last updated at 16:25, Friday, 16 July 2010

Criminals will be pressed into action to help revamp Penrith in the coming months.

Cumbria Probation Trust is to send people who are under community orders into Penrith to carry out community service after coming to an agreement with Eden council, Cumbria County Council, and the Vitality of Penrith regeneration committee.

Beginning in Little Dockray this week, they will spend around 1,000 hours painting bollards, bins and benches to improve the appearance of the town.

Mary Robinson, Eden council’s community services portfolio holder, said: “From this week, a programme of work will start in Penrith to improve the town’s street scene.

“The councils and the trust have identified areas where public amenities such as bins, bollards, benches, and signage need renewing or improving.

“This is a real opportunity for these individuals to make a positive contribution to the town and at the same time raise their self-esteem or skill levels by carrying out a worthwhile job.”

The scheme will be supported by funding from both the participating councils and the trust.

Cumbria Probation Trust’s chief executive officer Annette Hennessy said: “This is a good example of how the Community Payback scheme benefits local areas.

“The projects undertaken are constructive and give the individuals involved the chance to put something back into their communities.”

Councillor Helen Fearon, Cumbria County Council’s chair of Eden Local Committee, said: “The county council is engaged in pursuing ideas to make a positive contribution to the improvement of the public realm in Penrith town centre. I hope that this scheme, which we have contributed some funding towards, is a success.”

To nominate a project for community servicem, visit www.cumbriaprobation.org.uk and click on Community Payback – Do you have a suggestion?

First published at 14:09, Friday, 16 July 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk