PUPILS and staff from St Andrew’s CE School in Hampton, did their bit to help clean up the local environment last week.

Their efforts were part of an ECO week where every child at the school took part in a variety of activities designed to make them feel part of a community both inside and outside the school.

Pupils spent two hours collecting dropped litter close to their school and also learned how litter is not only unsightly, but can be harmful to local wildlife.

This litter pick also complements the successful work of the School’s Eco Council who organise pupil litter patrols, helping classmates to be responsible to care for their own school grounds.

Victoria Reilly, Year 1 Teacher and Eco Coordinator, said: “Well done to all the children and staff for their hard work – they couldn’t believe that people would just throw litter on the ground a few feet away from a bin.”

Andrea Bailey, the school’s headteacher, added: “Educating children to respect the environment and recycle is important.

"We hope that every child at St Andrew’s can share this message about looking after their community - don't drop litter, keep the streets clean and recycle/reuse whenever you can.”