Payback from criminals in Bristol

Bristol to Bath cycle path is one of five projects chosen in the Bristol area

Convicted offenders have started work on the Bristol to Bath cycle path, following a public vote on where community service should be performed.

It is part of a national campaign called Justice seen, Justice done.

A total of 18,000 people have voted on 54 areas across the UK that they would like offenders to work on.

The four other projects voted for in Bristol are at Crow Lane in Henbury, M32 Riverside, Loxton Square and Dings, Netham and Gaunts Ham parks.

"It is undoubtedly true that it is better for offenders to be putting something back into society to make recompense," said Mark Collins for the Safer Bristol Partnership.

"And that residents are happy to see this."

The start of visible "community payback" across England and Wales follows a recommendation from the government's crime and justice adviser.

It is seeking to improve the public's confidence in such schemes, as a form of punishment, so that people are more likely to come forward to report crime.

"Involving communities in the work of probation and improving understanding of how we manage offenders is crucial to us," said Martin Davies of Avon and Somerset Probation Area.