It's payback time for Rotherham's ex-offenders

Teams of six, clad in orange overalls, have been stripping, repainting and repointing the bridges, near Rotherham Central Station on College Road, after being sentenced to unpaid work.

They made such a good job that  Rotherham United had asked if the project could be repeated on Main Street, near the New York Stadium.

Steve Walker, from South Yorkshire Probation Service, said: “Eighty per cent of those taking part feel that they have done some good for their local area.

“Quite a few offenders have told us in the past that they prefer to be in prison though because with us they have to get up in the morning and work most of the day, not to mention that they’re in public wearing orange vests!”

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