A YOUNG envronmental campaigner from Wirral has been honoured by the Prime Minister.

Elizabeth Gadsdon - also known as 'The Little Collector' - was presented with a prestigious Points of Light award for outstanding voluntary work in the local community.

The seven-year-old created the 'Little Collector Crew' a dedicated team of children and parent litter pickers. She was inspired to act after watching someone carelessly throw rubbish out their car window.

Points of Light are outstanding individual volunteers – people who are making a change in their community.

Every week day the Prime Minister recognises an inspirational volunteer with the Daily Points of Light award.

Elizabeth launched a social media campaign to recruit members to her crew, posting pictures of herself picking up litter every day after school.

In Elizabeth’s latest campaign she is working with businesses to persuade them to change from single use plastic straws. She is delivering paper straws to local cafes and has convinced four businesses to make a permanent switch.

In a personal letter to Elizabeth, Prime Minister Theresa May said: "Your hard work with your 'Little Collector Crew' is helping to protect the environment and keep your local area clean.

"You should be very proud of achieving so much with your volunteering, particularly at such a young age."

On her campaign, Elizabeth said: “I want to help make Wirral a better place for everyone. I pick litter up to protect our wildlife and oceans and to make the planet look like how it should.

"In April 2017 I saw a man throw litter out of his car window, this really upset me, so I had to do something about it and teach people to stop dropping litter.

"I have helped the staff at Birkenhead Park by creating a 'Little Collector Crew' there to show everyone that children really care about our world… it is ours to look after.

"I have three main missions: to learn more about recycling, to reduce my family’s household litter and to avoid single-use plastic and educate other people.

"My secret mission is to help make Wirral plastic straw free. Together we can make a difference."

Elizabeth will receive her award from the mayor, Cllr Geoffrey Watt. He said: "This is a well-deserved award for one of Wirral's most inspirational younger residents.

"Elizabeth sets a fantastic example to people of all ages that, by each taking responsibility, we can, together, make a big difference to where we live."

Elizabeth is the 970th winner of the Points of Light award, which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA.

Over 6,000 Points of Light have been awarded in the USA, and former Presidents have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK.

There is a similar cross-party approach to the UK programme and MPs from different parties often present their constituents with their awards.