Environmentally aware youngsters have launched a rap CD this Christmas to fund the clean-up of a Cricklewood green.

Young, Free & Green, comprising 24 nine to 14-year-olds from Childs Hill Primary School, in Dersingham Road, and Whitefields Secondary School, in Claremont Road, began turning the neglected Millennium Green into a community garden last summer.

Working alongside Barnet youth club Rolling Base, they litterpicked and weeded the area, staving off boredom with a song they made up on the job.

Kathy Hudson, youth initiatives organiser at the Millennium Green Trust, which set up the group, said: "We'd had various clear up days, but because the litter problem is huge the young people found it a bit dispiriting.

"They thought they should make it more fun."

The young people later recorded their song, Keep it Clean, and produced a CD.

Sung by Childs Hill Choir and mixed and produced by Whitefields pupils, it includes the lyrics, "It really is disgusting seeing litter on the floor," and "Dog poo - put it in the bin".

Sales are hoped to raise £1,600 for community events and new signs, seating and repairs at the green.

Artists in the group also created a calendar to sell, featuring drawings by Childs Hill pupils to illustrate the importance of green spaces, alongside photos of people who helped with the project.

They received £800 from Barnet Children's Fund towards printing and copying costs.

Ms Hudson said: "It's been a very positive experience. The children have really responded to being invited to participate. They really were in charge of the budget. It's great that they got the grant."

The calendars and CDs together cost £5 and are available from the Brent Cross branch of Borders or by emailing youngfreeandgreencricklewood@googlemail.com