Eight-year-old twins have been labelled the real-life Wombles – after spending all their spare time collecting litter.
Brothers Harry and Charlie Stoddern became so sick of the state of their estate’s green area they decided to take action themselves.
They go out every second night straight after school and bag on average 40 sacks of rubbish every month.
The twins have been compared to the fictional furry critters the Wombles who famously kept Wimbledon Common litter free.
They have so far collected hundreds of wrappers and empty plastic bottles.
Proud mum Louise Reeks said as soon as they complete the clear-up rubbish at the Trelander East estate in Truro, Cornwall, starts piling up again.
Louise, 41, said: “They must fill up between 30 and 40 bags over the course of three or four weeks.
“They go out every other evening. They’ll get home from school – sometimes before they’ve even changed out of their uniforms they’ll be pulling on their gloves, grabbing hold of their litter-pickers and be straight out the front door.
“If they had their way they’d go right round the entire estate.”
Louise said she was very proud of her sons’ efforts, and said the twins are sometimes joined by their older brother Callum, 11.
She said: “You don’t see many eight-year-old kids taking the time to clean up their park.
“They want a clean park so they can play in it with their friends.”
The twins are even also clearing up rubbish from the front gardens of neighbour’s homes.
Local Truro councillor Peter Congdon said the efforts of the boys deserved wide recognition.
He said: “Those two boys are brilliant and they deserve a medal or something.
“It is a pity some of the older children don’t follow in their footsteps and think about picking their rubbish up.”
