OFFENDERS have planted thousands of crocus bulbs in York’s Foxwood to help the city in the Yorkshire in Bloom awards.

The work was done as part of a ‘Community Payback’ scheme which aims to rehabilitate offenders through working on projects benefitting the community.

Foxwood Residents Association requested the help of Humberside, Lincolnshire & North Yorkshire Community Rehabilitation Company (HLNY CRC) to carry out the project.

A spokesman said that over the last few years, offenders had spent many hours planting more than 50,000 crocus bulbs and this year had planted a further 5,000.

“The crocus were provided by Rotary International as part of their “End Polio Now” campaign,” he said.

“Daffodils, donated by a local family in memory of their son, were also planted.”

Sue Galloway, secretary of the residents association, said those working on the project would see the fruits of their labours in the spring and the project would count towards Yorkshire in Bloom 2018.

She said: “The team was polite and willing and I am amazed that they find themselves having to do this work.

“However, we are grateful to them and wish them the very best for the future and hope that they will be proud of helping the community in which they live.”

Chris Long, placement coordinator at HLNY CRC, said: “Community Payback is a punishment for breaking the law but it is also a way for those on probation to learn new skills and to support their rehabilitation.

“In this project, they will be able to reflect on the work they have done in the community each spring for years to come.”

The Community Payback scheme works across a wide range of projects in the community in North Yorkshire renovating community gardens, parks, church yards and schools.

Martin Davies, chief executive of HLNY CRC, said it would like to hear about other projects which residents thought would make a real difference to their community.

He said projects could be nominated by going to hlnycrc.co.uk.