CHILDREN from local primary and secondary schools joined together last week to show their commitment to green issues and keeping Wirral clean.

The event was the culmination of a 'Clean Green' project led by Wirral's Eco Schools officer, Lynn Struve and supported by the charity, Living Streets.

They were given the red-carpet treatment as their series of eco-themed films, were beamed onto the silver screen at New Brighton’s Light Cinema in front of an audience of invited guests, including Wirral’s Mayor Cllr Steve Foulkes, who presented pupils from Wallasey School with a Green Community Award.

The guests were then led by a piper from the Celtic Roots Music Academy in a Living Streets organised march along the promenade, singing anti-litter songs such as "What shall we do with the dirty litter? ... put it in the dustbin!"

Katherine Culshaw, project co-ordinator for Living Streets, said: "A lot of our work with youngsters is on Walk to School schemes across the Wirral, which have proved very popular.

"The carnival walk along the prom was a celebration of the effort pupils and schools have made to be more green."

She added: "We need to encourage children to get walking now and set healthy habits for the future."

Then, after a picnic lunch, the children all took part in a litter picking event on the beach around Fort Perch Rock, combining this with a coastal nature challenge to find items that actually belong on the beach.

Cabinet member for Environment and Sustainability, Cllr Bernie Mooney also in attendance said: "What a fantastic event and how great it was to see so many of our young people so enthuisastic about environmental issues and keeping the area clean. Well done to everyone who took part."