A KIDDERMINSTER primary school’s garden has received a facelift thanks to Wyre Forest’s community payback scheme.

St Oswald’s CE Primary School, in Sion Avenue, successfully applied to the scheme which sees Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership and West Mercia Probation Trust offer groups the use of a team of offenders sentenced by the court to carry out unpaid work for crimes they committed.

The community payback workers’ task at the school was to clear a small conservation area with a pond. They also cut back overgrown bushes around the site and produced four trailers full of cuttings which were sent off to be recycled.

St Oswald’s headteacher Joel Marshall said: “The work carried out has opened up much more space and the extra visibility allows teachers to keep a close eye on children playing in the gardens and it’s much safer for them.

“We are delighted to be involved in the scheme and I would certainly recommend others applying. Many of the parents have noticed the work and we have received really positive feedback.”

Helen Dyke, community safety partnership chairman, said: “The work has really made a difference to the school grounds which now look fantastic and ready for spring.

“After the many successful projects we will definitely be looking to continue the scheme in the future. This is proof of how beneficial local partnerships can be.”

Other community payback projects have been completed in Springfield Park, Kidderminster and Betty Dawes Hill and Walshes Community Hall, both in Stourport.

Plans are in progress for a second round of projects in Wyre Forest. To suggest a project, email community.safety@wyreforestdc.gov.uk before the end of March.