OFFENDERS have helped to refurbish a popular museum for free.

Criminals ordered to do unpaid community work have helped to decorate the Colne Valley Museum at Golcar.

Offenders working on projects for the Probation Service donned their overalls and spent a month plastering and painting.

The offenders, of all ages, were ordered to carry out unpaid work as part of their court order and punishment.

It gave many of them the chance to learn new skills which probation officers hope they can take out into the workplace.

Kim Ingram, project manager for West Yorkshire Probation Service, based in Huddersfield, said: “Teams of offenders worked at the museum and many were able to learn and practise a range of work-related skills.

“The work was a benefit to the museum and to the offenders alike.

“The offenders that were involved in the project from start to finish came away with a sense of achievement, satisfaction and pride from a job well done.

“And, of course, the knowledge that they were able to put something back into the community.”

It was the second time the probation service sent a team to work at the museum.

They re-plastered the walls, painted the ceilings, prepared the floors and cleaned the museum ready for its re-opening after a break.

Barry Newbould, of the museum, added: “The museum is a voluntary organisation and this type of project enables us to benefit from a free workforce, in exchange for an opportunity for the teams to develop skills.

“All we do is provide the materials and some equipment.

“The final results have been very good; we have a bright new look which is very pleasing.”

The Kirklees probation service works with 135 offenders each week who complete up to six hours work a time.

More than 37,500 hours of unpaid work has been carried out by offenders doing unpaid work in Kirklees in the past year.

Cemeteries throughout Huddersfield and Dewsbury have been kept clean and tidy by people given community sentences.

Offenders are now working on improving the area around the war graves at Hepworth, after being specially asked by the War Graves Commission.

Their work has also brought derelict areas back to life and they have helped to clear and tidy churchyards and community centres, repair park benches and remove graffiti.