Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has commended a scheme which is helping to improve the environment in Conwy.

Darren's comments came after he joined the Wales Probation community payback team for a morning as they tidied gardens for elderly residents and did a litter pick on Cartfrefi Conwy's Chester Avenue Estate in Kinmel Bay.

Team members participate in the scheme as part of a restorative justice programme and Darren was impressed with their efforts.

He said:

"I really welcome the work the team have been doing in my constituency, they have done a fantastic job.

"I want to thank Wales Probation for the excellent way in which they manage the scheme and for helping to demonstrate that restorative justice works."

Graham Thomas, Community Payback Development Manager for Wales Probation said:

"Community Payback ensures offenders put something back into their local community at the same time as being punished for their offence. The work in Kinmel Bay involved collecting and disposing of litter across the estate, and maintaining gardens for elderly residents who are unable to do the work themselves. The appearance of public areas has been improved and the offenders have gained a sense of self-esteem by helping people less fortunate than themselves.

"We are very grateful to Cartrefi Conwy who fund our Community Payback supervisor in this area.　 Thanks to their generosity, we have been able to invest staff time in a project which benefits the wider community in such a positive way."

Picture Caption:　 Martin Trigg, Community Payback Supervisor with Clwyd West AM Darren Millar　 and some of the Wales Probation team.