ECO-AWARE pupils at a Gourock secondary school want to keep their community litter free as they work towards gaining a life-changing honour.

Third year students at Clydeview Academy are picking up rubbish within the grounds and in surrounding areas to fulfil the volunteering part of the bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

To fully tackle the problem, the students will soon be following the route their fellow pupils take when they're walking to and from the local shops at break times.

The dedicated rubbish removers will cover Grieve Road, Larkfield Road, the area around the Co-op shop near to Battery Park and other littering hotspots like Mallard Crescent.

Clydeview depute head and Duke of Edinburgh teacher Ross McFadzean says that the young people are enjoying getting out and about.

He said: "It's been so difficult to get out and do any volunteering over the past year.

"The young people would usually go and help out in charity shops and care homes but we've not been able to do that.

"We set up the litter pick to make sure they're still out there doing constructive things in their communities.

"This will help the pupils understand the value of the service of volunteering in their community.

"They'll be able to clearly see the impact of their work and how they've helped people in the process."

Clydeview S3 pupils are timetabled for two Duke of Edinburgh periods a week and also have to cover expedition skills and physical elements.

Mr McFadzean says the pupils recognise there is a problem with litter and want to do something to help.

He added: "The residents aren't the ones who are dropping plastic cups and bottles.

"We know that it it's school pupils in the area.

"We're all collectively responsible for the litter we see.

"This activity shows that we're taking responsibility for it and forming a strong link between the school and the community.

"We're trying to change attitudes and hopefully pupils will now think twice about dropping that bottle or can."

Teacher Carly Blackman added that pupils have also been designing flyers to make people aware of their activities and have distributed feedback forms to local residents.

Pupil Rebecca Pearson said: "It's really important.

"People living here don't want their streets and their gardens to be untidy.

"I enjoy helping people by helping to clear the litter."

Fellow student Arran Nimmo added: "Helping in this way has shown us what an impact litter has on the community."

Pupil Amy Bryson said: "It's great experience for us as it helps us with our Duke of Edinburgh volunteering award."