OFFENDERS sentenced to community punishment orders have begun work on a neglected pathway that was chosen by Southampton residents as most in need of a clean-up.

A team of probationers have already removed motorbikes, rubbish, a sofa and an armchair from a stream running next to Shoreburs Pathway in Sholing.

The pathway was selected with the help of Daily Echo readers as the most in need of a makeover, beating competition from four other clean-up projects.

It is hoped the work by the National Probation Service will mean more people will be able to enjoy the pathway.

One of the team, Steve Coffin, 22, from Bassett, said the work was fulfilling.

Steve, who was sentenced to 80 hours of unpaid labour, said:

"I think it does make a difference to the community. It is better for the community - and me - to be doing something like this instead of sitting in a jail cell.

"This work means the area looks better and disabled people will be able to use it better."

Members of the Sholing Environment Group, who nominated the project, said the work would make a big difference.

Mary Carnegie said: "This is the sort of backbreaking work that we just wouldn't be able to do and there is not a lot of money around to pay for it to be done.

"It would literally take us ages to do all this."

More than 370 people voted for the Shoreburs Pathway as part of the Clean-Up Week campaign.

However, the other shortlisted projects in Southampton, including Itchen Valley Country Park, Townhill Way, the Lorsdale path and Cutbush Lane, will all be completed by the Probation Service by the end of the year.