AMBLECOTE schoolchildren recently spent the afternoon filling 12 bin bags with rubbish that had been carelessly dropped by litterbugs.

Pupils from Amblecote Primary School were joined by neighbourhood PCSOs as they made the recreational area at the back of the school a litter-free zone on Monday (31 March).

PCSO Niki Wright, said: “We think it is really important to encourage children to take an active role in keeping their open spaces clear of rubbish.

"If they have to clean up the litter, we hope it will make them think twice about becoming litter-bugs when out playing with friends."

She continued: “This is also a really good opportunity for us to speak to the children about policing and for us to explain the damage litter can cause to our environment and wildlife."

As a thank you for their hard work, officers gave the youngsters a bottle of pop, fruit and chocolate, which had been donated by Sainsbury’s, Withymoor.