Service users on Community Payback have been praised for helping Boston win gold for the third year running, in this year’s East Midlands in Bloom large town category.

Alison Fairman, chairman of Boston in Bloom Partnership said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nigel Harris, Dave Hardy and the Community Payback team for the tremendous amount of work you have put in to support the Boston in Bloom campaign this year.

“We are particularly indebted to you for your help in maintaining Pilgrims’ Patch and the Central Park community garden, which have never looked better. Without this level of commitment, we would not have been able to achieve this standard of entry and we very much look forward to sharing our continued progress with you in the up and coming year.”

Councillor Claire Rylott, Boston Borough Council’s Cabinet member for grounds and open spaces, said: “Getting a third gold on the trot is such a great boost for Boston. It’s a gold award for all involved – every one of the hard-working volunteers who I absolutely applaud for the hard work they do in all weathers for just this reward, the council’s grounds staff and partner agencies such as Community Payback.”

“I absolutely applaud for the hard work they do in all weathers for just this reward, the council’s grounds staff and partner agencies such as Community Payback”

Community Payback in Lincolnshire is managed by the Humberside, Lincolnshire & North Yorkshire Community Rehabilitation Company (HLNY CRC) and aims to rehabilitate offenders through working on projects, nominated by members of the public, that benefit the community.

Kristy Temperton, unpaid work manager, said: “HLNY CRC and Boston in Bloom work closely in partnership deploying offenders on Community Payback on several projects across the town.

“Our work on Boston in Bloom is a good example of how service users can put something back into the community while learning essential work and life skills which will improve their chances of employment.”