AREAS which had become no-go zones for residents are being transformed by young offenders.

Youngsters spent the weekend clearing overgrown plants from Cox Green Road, Egerton, as part of a scheme to make pathways more inviting for pedestrians who are too scared to use them.

It is one of a number of pathways being improved across Bolton in order to them make them less inviting for criminals.

The scheme was devised by police and Bolton Youth Offending Team to help young offenders between the ages of 10 and 17 curb Crime.

Reparation supervisor Frank Nolan said: "Cox Green Road is just one area where we have been able to improve pathways and help reduce the fear of crime.

"People were scared of walking down some of these paths because you can't see down them.

"We've also been involved in schemes to clean up graffiti and help old people with gardening."

The scheme involves up to six youngsters working with a supervisor on weekends for up to six hours.

Youngsters can be made the subject of a supervision order tying them into the project for up to 12 months.

Crime reduction advisor PC John Heyes said: "This is a way of using the youth offenders to make a significant impact on areas which will be of benefit to the community."