Young offenders from across Caerphilly County Borough have been making amends for their past ill behaviour.
As part of their work with the local Youth Offending Service, the youngsters have been working alongside Commons Rangers at Caerphilly County Borough Council to help repair dry stone walls.
One young person, 17-year-old Ryan Godsell, has been working alongside Commons Ranger Dave Parfitt under the instruction of dry stone walling expert Martin Rathbone.
Ryan has been repairing a 7 metre section of wall in Fochriw, which had fallen into disrepair.
Mr Rathbone said: “The walls in the Fochriw area are over 150 years old and some are in urgent need of repair. Ryan has worked very hard in repairing this seven-metre gap and he has picked up the basic skills of dry stone walling.
“I have offered him further training once his reparation hours have been completed, at the end of which he will be able to attempt an examination at attain a qualification which will allow him to make a good living from this work.”
Councillor Lyn Ackerman, cabinet member for the environment, said: “I commend projects such as this, which provide local young offenders with meaningful work to carry out as a means of repaying to the community for the crimes they committed.
“At the same time, the young people are also able to learn valuable new skills that will help them with future career prospects and to turn their lives around for the better.”