THE NEWPORT Transporter Bridge visitors’ centre is being redecorated by workers as part of a firm’s community programme.

Two MITIE workers, who are based at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) building on Cardiff Road, started painting yesterday afternoon and will have finished by this afternoon.

Paul Scarf, a maintenance handyman, and Steve Perian, a post room supervisor, volunteered their time to paint the centre.

The project was coordinated by MITIE’s facilities manager, Chris Kilvington, and Bob Richards, who works for the ONS and is the treasurer of the Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge group.

MITIE, a Bristol-based firm, is sub-contracted by the ONS to operate its facilities, such as postal services and catering.

Mr Kilvington said: “Our philosophy generally is to provide a hand-up rather than a hand-out approach, so we are pleased to get involved and utilise the skills, resources and enthusiasm of our people to carry out important community projects like this refurbishment of the Transporter Bridge visitor centre.”

David Hando, the chairman of Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge, said: “It is great they are helping to promote the Transporter Bridge we are all so proud of.”

The centre will reopen to the public seven days a week from Monday, January 20 and will be open seven days a week between 10am and 4pm, volunteers permitting. The Friends group is looking for more volunteers and anyone who can help for three hours a week can phone Mr Hando on 07802487042 for further information.