A REPRESENTATIVE of the Queen has given his seal of approval to a scheme in Boston which sees criminals give something back to the community.

During a visit to the Boston offices of Lincolnshire Probation Trust, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, John Godfrey, viewed supervised offenders working under the Community Payback initiative.

High Sheriff of Lincolnshire John Godfrey, second left, with Probation Trust projects officer Nigel Harris, community payback worker Nathan, probation trust supervisor Jo Schofield, community payback worker Liam and Boston Borough Council neighbourhood projects officer Barrie Beagles.

They were carrying out litter picking work in High Street South as part of Boston's resident led Placecheck Project.

The High Sheriff, who is appointed by the Queen and whose role dates back to 900AD, told the Target he was "really interested to see probation work happening at the operational coal face."

Mr Godfrey added: "I come away with unbounded admiration for the people who engage with the most difficult members of our communities, admiration for their dedication to their work and for their empathy with the offenders.

"Society owes probation staff a big thank-you."

Offenders supervised by Lincolnshire Probation Trust carried out more than 85,000 hours of Community Payback work in 2009.

This included on a wide range of projects such as weeding, litter picking, painting and decorating, gardening and woodland conservation as well as working in the shops and cafes of charities.

This equates to 2,125 working weeks or 45 working years and is worth £493,000 at the minimum adult wage of £5.80 per hour.