Chester-le-Street residents Shaun Hedley (36), Robert Scorer (41), Paul Coop (36) and Antony Curry (19) all started their employment with the Chester-le-Street based landlord last month and are responsible for improving the appearance of over 70 miles of path edging.

The association targeted the long-term unemployed by working in partnership with Jobcentre Plus in Chester-le-Street and selected the four new recruits after they attended an open day in December.

Alan Milner, Community Caretaker Manager at Cestria Community Housing said: “Path edges need to be trimmed, tidied and maintained and it would have taken our existing team three or four years during the winter months to complete.

“Our four new recruits will carry out an extensive programme over the next six months which will free up capacity for our other team of caretakers to improve the general appearance of our neighbourhoods.”