RANGERS from Brighton and Hove City Council’s countryside team have been working with a community rehabilitation company to improve the parks and open spaces.

Everything from hedge cutting to fence laying was carried by Kent, Surrey and Sussex CRC Community Payback teams under trained supervision in Preston Park, Stanmer Park, Withdean Park, Woodvale and Waterhall from June to October.

They also did path clearance, weeding, removing old fencing and installed gates.

KSS CRC came forward following the council’s Big Conversation which looked at how to manage the city’s parks and open spaces in the future with the resources available.

As well as being beneficial to the city’s parks, the skills learned carrying out this work increases the employability of people sentenced to Community Payback, which in turn reduces the likelihood of their reoffending.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, chairwoman of the environment committee, said: “I’d like to thank the rangers and Community Payback team for undertaking such an impressive amount of work in just five months.

“I know that this work will be much appreciated by all who use our parks.”