YOUNGSTERS have been getting their hands dirty to help keep their community tidy and clean.

Nunnery Wood Primary School pupils, armed with litter pickers, gloves and bags have been tidying up their school, in the city's Prestwich Avenue and surrounding area.

Derek Prodger, Worcester city councillor and cabinet member for a clean, green and safe city, has given them a helping hand and talked about the new, on-the-spot fines for dropping litter coming into force next year.

The event, organised by St Peter's parish councillor Pat Bunney, has been a huge success.

"Nearly 300 of them have taken part and I'm absolutely over the moon," she said. "If you train them at an early age, then they won't drop litter later on."

The youngsters, as well as pupils from the city's Nunnery Wood High School and Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, are also taking part in a litter-themed competition to design the front cover of the St Peter's parish magazine.