A SOCIAL club has been given a makeover by criminals as part of their punishment.

Offenders ordered to carry out unpaid work painted the outside of Ayresome Quoits Club, in Middlesbrough, as part of the Community Payback scheme.

Local councillors Barry Coppinger and Eddie Dryden called Durham Tees Valley Probation Trust to ask for help. Coun Coppinger said the quoits club dated from the late 1800s and played an important role in local life.

He said: "It has around 800 members and is the hub for activities such as band nights, kids' discos, pool and a pensioners' club.

"It has gone through some pretty difficult times in recent years, but everyone has worked hard to get it back on an even keel, and the Community Payback team have given the building just the facelift it needed."

Deputy probation manager Gordon Wooding said: "This was very much a joint effort.

"Middlesbrough Council provided the funds for thematerials and we were able to provide the labour through Community Payback."

Community Payback can be carried out by offenders who have been given a community order or suspended sentence with a requirement to complete unpaid work of between 40 and 300 hours.

The aim is that offenders work for free to pay back the local community for the harm their offending has caused.