AN ARMY of 250 jobless people have cleaned up housing estates across Glasgow - and transformed their own lives in the process.

The teams of workers - known as community janitors - have been hired by Glasgow Housing Association They remove rubbish, clean, weed, cut grass and trim hedges, report vandalism, remove graffiti and sweep paths.

And so far they've carried out 11,000 jobs, and dozens of them have gone on to find full-time work.

The Environmental Employability Programme has also been given a big thumbs-up by residents who can't believe the difference the teams - aged 18 to over 50 - have made.

Pensioner Henry Clark, 84, from Balornock, received a garden makeover courtesy of the community jannies, who cut his hedges and moved an old garage.

Henry who now has an immaculate garden to enjoy, said: "I was struggling to keep the garden looking nice, but they have transformed my garden and the surrounding area.

"What a grand job they have done. Now when I look out the window the garden looks lovely.

"It's great to see them out and about in our area with their brushes and tools - the whole place looks much tidier."

John McGuinness, from Possilpark, has been on the training course for six months. The 52-year-old was unemployed for more than a year before he became a community janitor.

He said: "I love working outside and you get the chance to work towards certificates too in things like first aid and health and safety.

"It's great seeing the kind of difference you can make to the community and always meeting new people."

Mick Burns, EEP supervisor, said: "When you see the smile on the face of people like Mr Clark everyone on the team feels great job satisfaction in helping those who are not as capable."

He added: "The community janitors should be proud of the work they are doing to make a difference in the community, and at the same time have given their own lives a boost."

Sadie Docherty, community housing manager at Unity Homes Housing Association in Balornock, said: "This is a great project - the tenants love it because it makes the neighbourhood look so much better, and at the same time they know it's helping local people get jobs."

The EEP training programme offers training for 253 local people - 80% of them GHA tenants, and since its launch last July, 37 have already secured full-time jobs.

The programme runs in 35 LHOs across Glasgow to complement Glasgow City Council's existing services.