Youth workers in Oxfordshire are looking for volunteer role models to supervise 10 to 18-year-olds as they carry out their sentences.

The Youth Offending Team admits it is an unusual request but says the appeal has been made in response to an urgent need for such volunteers.

Two days training will be given to those who sign up to be mentors.

The youngsters will be carrying out work such as repairing damage they caused, cleaning up graffiti or helping out a charity.

It is arranged as part of a restorative justice scheme, which aims to have offenders make amends to their victims or community.

Councillor John Farrow, the county council's executive member for community safety, said: "The county council and its partners in the Youth Offending Service are committed to giving young offenders the support that they need to get back on the right track.

"And I hope that people will think about volunteering to help them with this task."