ECO-friendly youngsters from West Devon have won backing for their active fight against litter problems at their school.

All thirty Year 4 pupils at Buckland Primary School were so concerned about litter in their school grounds, they wrote to West Devon Borough Council to ask if anything could be done about it.

The letters explained the work they had already done to reduce the amount of rubbish produced by the school and identified the need for litter pickers and bins for the playground.

Jill Skelton, of West Devon client services, said: 'Buckland is an Eco-school. The children are obviously concerned by the issue of litter in the school grounds and we are very pleased with Year 4's enthusiasm to tackle this difficult matter.

'Unfortunately the council is not able to supply bins or litter pickers to schools, but we are glad to offer encouragement and information.

'On this occasion we have managed to arrange the loan of some litter pickers and gloves to help out on a temporary basis.'

A West Devon Borough Council officer visited Buckland to discuss the problem further with the whole school.

The children were shown slides demonstrating the journey taken by West Devon's rubbish from the kerbside to the landfill site.

Afterwards, armed with the litter pickers, members of Year 4 collected a back-pack, as well as the usual crisp packets and sweet wrappers from the playing field.

The pickers and gloves are on temporary loan from the Greenhouse in Plymouth.

If anyone knows where Buckland could obtain their own sturdy bins and litter pickers, please contact the school on 01822 853153.