Gangs of offenders ordered to do community service will be cleaning up the town's subways and hangouts. Even though Newbury doesn't have a major problem with the urban dawbings, those in charge of supervising the town's retail revival want to spruce up public areas.

Newbury Town Centre Steering Group cut the deal with Thames Valley Probation Service to get the gangs painting over the graffiti, to stop it spreading.

Peter Atkinson, Chairman of the Town Centre Steering Group commented: "The painting of graffiti is a criminal offence, and rightly so. Newbury is benefiting from considerable investment at the moment. Significant enhancements to the street scene have been carried out, new retailers are moving into town, and plans to establish Newbury as a vibrant and attractive centre for all are well under way. Graffiti simply undermines this good work."

District councillor Phil Barnett, who sits on the steering group, added: "It's a fact that graffiti breeds graffiti. Remove it, and it lessens the chance of it recurring. This scheme is an excellent example of all those with a stake in the town joining forces to improve its status."