YOUNG offenders in the region are repaying their debts to society through community and environmental projects.

About ten youngsters, all convicted of crimes including car theft and burglary, are working with Darlington's Community Safety Partnership team, carrying out duties designed to benefit the local community.

The youngsters, aged ten to 18, are supervised by the council's uniformed wardens and Darlington police.

They are repainting railings around North Lodge Park and helping Springfield Residents' Association by delivering newsletters and questionnaires.

They are also helping to renovate a disused garage at McMullen House Alternative Centre for Education to provide pupils with a relaxation area.

Projects in the past, amounting to several hundred man hours of work, have included clearing paths, painting fences, planting bulbs and cleaning wheelchairs and scooters for disabled people.

The Youth Justice Service has set a target for 60 per cent of all young offenders referred to it by the courts or the police to take part in reparation programmes. The programmes provide the youngsters with the opportunity to work with victims of their crimes or with the wider community to repay some of their debt to society.

Reparation can vary from three to 30 hours' service for young offenders who have been to court and pleaded guilty to an offence, or who have been given a final warning by police.

They are then referred to Darlington Community Safety Partnership team, assessed and appropriate steps taken to ensure the programme will be suitable and beneficial to them, their victims or the community.

Projects tackled by the youngsters must be of benefit to the community.

Councillor Bill Dixon, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member for social services, said: "The youths on the Community Safety Partnership reparation programme are working hard to repay their debt to society.

"Suitable projects are identified which not only provide the young people with the opportunity to gain new skills and experience but that benefit the community and victims of their crime."