Kids carry out clean-up for the Queen's 90th birthday

The project aims to inspire people across the country to help give their local communities a spring clean ahead of the Queen’s 90th birthday on April 21.

Children from Simonside Primary and St Mary’s RC Primary, both in Jarrow, joined forces to get involved at the weekend.

Coun Richard Porthouse, Mayor of South Tyneside said: “The two schools saw the initiative as a prime opportunity for them to collaborate and do a spring clean around their schools and the surrounding area.

“Both schools take real pride in their local environment, as do many schools across the borough. What a perfect way to teach the next generation about litter and the importance of keeping our environment clean.”

Children and teachers from the schools were joined by Coun Porthouse and Coun Tracey Dixon, lead member for area management and community safety for a litter pick around St Mary’s Church, in Glasgow Road.

Further litter picks were then conducted by the children around the grounds of each of their schools. South Tyneside Council and South Tyneside Homes helped by providing litter pickers and waste sacks.

Harriet Bland, head teacher at Simonside Primary School, said: “We are grateful for the opportunity to bring Simonside and St Mary’s schools together for a good spring clean.

“Our young environmental volunteers are keen to take pride in our local area and ensure that both of the schools’ extensive grounds are litter-free and ready for use by the children in the spring and summer.

“We are really grateful for the council’s assistance so that we could carry out the clean-up not only around the church but across our extensive school grounds.

“We hope that this activity teaches our pupils good habits that they can take through life to keep the area clean.”

To find out how you can get involved in a litter pick, go to www.cleanforthequeen.co.uk.