A dedicated five-year-old boy has taken Facebook by storm after doing his bit to keep the area where he lives litter free.

Freddie Cozens has been praised for his efforts picking up rubbish in the streets and around Central Park in Dartford.

The Temple Hill Primary pupil had been watching his mum collecting litter in their communal garden when her rubbish picker had broke.

After ordering a handful more, mum Roxanne Stacey said: “When he realised that more than one had arrived, Freddie instantly asked if one was for him, and after that there was just no stopping him.”

Freddie, who will be starting Year 1 at school in September, quickly took to inviting his friends to go litter picking with him. The trio managed to collect two big bags of rubbish from their street alone.

Before long, Freddie was parading around the lakes at Central Park picking up rubbish as he went, asking fisherman if they had any litter and having fun in the process.

“He absolutely loved keeping his community tidy and clean.” - Roxanne Stacey

Ms Stacey initially posted several pictures to the Facebook page with the caption: “Freddie has collected five bags of rubbish since we received our little pickers. For every tenth piece of rubbish, he earned 10 minutes in the park.

“He absolutely loved keeping his community tidy and clean.”

The post got hundreds of likes and comments congratulating Freddie for his efforts.

One reader wrote: “You’re a superstar Freddie, very well done. It’s so lovely to have young people like you want to look after our area.”

Freddie’s mum says he loves playing in the park in Cranford Road and his favourite equipment is the silver tunnel slide. But she said although Freddie enjoys his time in the playground, he would collect the litter anyway as he is genuinely concerned with the welfare of his local environment.

She said Freddie was shocked at the amount of plastic he had collected, adding: “Freddie was very concerned about the plastic and how it could and would effect the local animals. He hates the stuff.”

Freddie’s mum said he wants to continue to do his bit, so he will be out and about with his litter picker again soon.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford