A PROBATION team's work getting ex-offenders back to work has been rewarded.

The team dealing with offenders in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland has become the only one in the north of England to receive national accreditation for its work.

The award, made by the Guidance Accreditation Board (GAB), means the team's work to provide information and careers advice has met the highest quality standards set by the National Probation Service.

Dave McNally, from the Northumbria Probation area, said: "No other probation area between Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire has achieved this accreditation award.

"Offenders in our region typically have low levels of literacy and numeracy and high levels of unemployment.

"This, combined with fewer job vacancies in the North-East, means it can be difficult for individuals with criminal records to find work.

"We want to encourage people to become students or employees and to ensure they have the skills to become part of the mainstream of society, rather than be stuck in a cycle of criminal activity."