A HARNESS racing centre in North Yorkshire has had a makeover thanks to Community Payback.

Offenders doing community service worked on a number of projects with York Harness Racing in Nun Monkton, to help the Parents Association of Children with Tumours & Leukaemia (PACT).

Mick Welling, owner, has supported the charity since the death of his two-year-old son Daniel from a brain tumour, and asked a team of offenders to the racecourse to restore and repair trackside fencing.

The 500-hour makeover was done for an annual charity racing event in support of PACT, which has raised £20,000 in recent years.

Mr Welling said: “I’ve got a lot of time for these lads working on Community Payback. Of course, they have committed a crime but by doing work like this they have avoided jail and are putting something back into the community. I can relate to these people.

“They all work hard while they are here and hopefully learn some new skills. They have done so much to support PACT in their work.”

To ask about Community Payback in your area, go to hlnycrc.co.uk