A GRADE I listed church has been transformed following work by 13 offenders on Community Payback.

The Humberside, Lincolnshire & North Yorkshire Community Rehabilitation Company scheme has seen a major makeover in and around St Mary and All Saints Church, Cundall, near Thirsk.

The work has involved teams of people on unpaid work orders clearing weeds from the graveyard, undergrowth and re-installing fallen gravestones opening up the space to visitors.

It has also seen the renovation of the 19th century nave, removal of peeling plaster, the walls and ceilings painted and work on the church’s ancient roof timbers.

Community Payback aims to rehabilitate offenders through working on projects that benefit the community.

Nigel Tapley, local resident and a bench chairman at Northallerton Magistrates Court, said: “As a magistrate I have always seen unpaid work as something as a soft option, but after this I can see the human side of Community Payback and the pride taken in the work done by the offenders.”