OFFENDERS on the Community Payback Team joined forces with the Middlewich Clean Team to give the town a fresh look from the canal. 

Several offenders doing the rehabilitation programme re-painted the fences bordering the Trent and Mersey Canal and Booth Lane, with help from the clean team and Middlewich Town Council. 

Stephen Dent, Middlewich Clean Team vice chairman, said: “Janet Chisholm, our chairperson spent a considerable amount of time co-ordinating various agencies in order to achieve this task in a safe and efficient manner.

“The clean team has been working with the Community Payback Team for a number of years now and are grateful that they are willing to come into Middlewich to help to clean up untidy areas which have been identified by us.

“On this occasion, Middlewich Town Council and the Clean Team provided all the materials and Ringway Jacobs provided all the safety barriers which were needed as the fence is adjacent to the busy main road.”

Community Payback supervisor Phil Stone was delighted with the work carried out in Middlewich and said he hopes it can help the rehabilitation of the offenders. 

Phil said: "Community Payback is a punishment, we rigorously hold offenders to account for their actions. It is also a way for offenders to payback to the local community for the things they have done. 

"But Community Payback also supports offenders by helping give them new skills. They can also take pride in the work they have done. We hope that then supports their rehabilitation so that they don't reoffend."