So far two offenders have been ordered to do community service with Nexus in the scheme being piloted by Gateshead Young Offending Team.

They had been convicted of criminal damage on the system.

The 16-year-olds spent two hours at the Metro depot in Gosforth, Newcastle, washing the company's fleet of vans.

Metro director Ken Mackay said: "These two youths deliberately damaged property on the Metro network so it was only right that they came in and did their community punishment with us.

"I now hope that they have learned their lesson.

"It is quite simple, vandalism won't be tolerated on the Metro system and this shows that anyone caught damaging our property will be prosecuted through the courts and they will be punished."

It is hoped other youth offending teams on Tyneside and Wearside will get involved in the scheme.