A PIONEERING scheme to rehabilitate young offenders through unpaid work is being trialled in the region.

The project is being piloted by North Yorkshire County Council's youth offending team.

The scheme works by making young criminals carry out unpaid work to repay their debt to society.

It is also hoped the work will help break the cycle of re-offending and teach new skills.

So far, the offenders have been working at the Carlton Lodge Outdoor Centre, which is run by North Yorkshire Youth.

Located at Carlton Miniott, near Thirsk, the centre provides activities including canoeing for youngsters.

Young offenders are clearing paths to improve disabled access and and are cleaning up the sports hall.

They are also strengthening the banks of a lake on the site to create a safe fishing and pond-dipping area.

Lesley Ingleson, youth offending team manager, said: "Our ultimate aim is to break the cycle of offending and re-offending.

"Their reparation here isn't just punishment - it's an opportunity for personal and social development, with outdoor activities as the vehicle. We are keen to develop our reparation services further and we are soon going to be appointing two reparation development officers."

The scheme has been running for eight weeks and the youth offending team is hoping to develop it further.

The team plans to improve the scheme's structure to allow larger projects to be taken on.

Ryan Turner, 18, from Great Ayton, was one of those taking part in the scheme.

He said: "It wasn't easy, but it's been really good. I've met new people and learnt new skills."

He hopes the skills learned at Carlton Lodge will help him on a joinery course.

Simon Hills, chief executive of North Yorkshire Youth, said: "The work the young people are doing is really worthwhile.

"It's not just about punishment, it teaches young people that there is another way to do things. They are learning the value of work, making new friends and they get to see the results of the work they have done, giving them something to be proud of."