A COUNCIL initiative where unemployed people are given green jobs to help them through the recession, has now recruited more than 100 staff.

The Greenwich Council scheme is hoping to employ around 250 people by the end of the month in roles such as street cleaners, litter-pickers, graffiti removers and hedge cutters.

Many of the recruits come from areas of the borough badly hit by the recession - such as the Glyndon, Woolwich Common and Middle Park estates.

Council leader, Councillor Chris Roberts, said: “It is very exciting to see the first 100 recruits starting work with us, and tremendously encouraging to see how many people we have been able to recruit from the estates and neighbourhoods which have suffered higher levels of unemployment.

“We are absolutely committed to doing all we can to help local people get back into work."