Children sent out a strong message to litter louts by designing posters and clearing a field of rubbish.

Year 1 pupils from Sunnyfields Primary School, in Hatchcroft, Hendon, were horrified by the mess in the wooded area next to their school.

They spotted old televisions, dog mess and other rubbish during a class walk to learn about the environment - so when they got back to school they quickly devised a plan to clear it up.

With the help of their teacher, Noleen Coutinho, the five and six-year-olds designed posters and went back to the field to pick the litter up themselves.

Ms Coutinho said: “This was all their idea, they wanted to protect the environment as seeing the mess made them very upset.

“We brainstormed what we could do and they decided to make posters and go and clear it all up themselves.

“I’m so proud of them, absolutely chuffed. For people of their age to think in this magnitude, it’s just brilliant.”