BRITAIN’S ROYALS and friends are not the only people taking part in the preparations for the upcoming nuptials between Kate Middleton and Price William  - convicted criminals will also have a chance to contribute to the big day.

However while some of the bridal party will be dealing with more pleasant details, like flowers and music, others will be mucking in by cleaning the grime off London’s tube stations and surrounding areas (can you guess who?).

The offenders, convicted of minor offenses, are to scrub the grimy pedestrian tunnels at the Hyde Park Corner tube station that is expected to be used by thousands of people hoping to get close to Westminster Abbey or Buckingham Palace on 29 April, when the pair wed.

Officials said Monday the cleanup plan is part of a program that puts offenders to work on local projects to benefit the community.

Warden Ravi Kumar said the cleanup will make the heavily trafficked subway station tunnels much more presentable to the thousands of visitors expected.

“Using the scheme seemed perfect as it is a great example of people paying back their community and contributing something beneficial following their conviction,” said Kumar.

The station is close to Buckingham Palace and the processional route the royal couple will follow.

“The tunnels do get cleaned every night but they were in need of some real elbow grease,” said Kumar. “I went down myself with a bit of wire sponge and had a scrub and it really made a difference so I thought doing it manually would be our best option.”

- Additional reporting by AP