A primary schoolgirl has become a super-fundraiser by singlehandedly producing about £3,000 for charity.

Scarlett Smith, nine, of Aycliffe, has speeded up her efforts since the first pandemic lockdown in spring 2020.

She is now been raising money and collecting gifts for children and families for Christmas.

She has just been awarded a special badge by her local MP for being an outstanding community ambassador.

Scarlett said: "It has made me feel good that I have raised money for charity and all the other things I did during lockdown and since then."

The Aycliffe Community Primary School pupil has always raised money for causes such as Emmaus, for the homeless, and Greyhound rescue charities but got more involved in spring 2020.

Her efforts have included a sponsored walk for Emmaus Dover and a 5km (3.1 mile) run for the NHS.

She has participated in local online pageants to raise money for charities and has raised money for Together for Short Lives, for children's palliative care, and Headway East Kent, which provides rehabilitation for adults with brain injuries.

Scarlett has also done work such as cleaning up beaches and recycling. Last year she spearheaded a campaign at her school to collect warm clothes for the homeless.

Recently, Scarlett won a South Coast charity award and is still raising and giving money for groups such as Emmaus Dover, Kent Greyhound Rescue and Cherished Gowns, a Dover charity creating funeral gowns for stillborn and miscarried babies.

Dover and Deal MP Natalie Elphicke invited Scarlett to meet her at her constituency surgery after the schoolgirl had written to her telling of the charity work.

Mrs Elphicke presented Scarlett with a House of Commons teddy bear, that the youngster named Boris, Commons stationery and a special Parliament portcullis badge.

"It is encouraging to see young people like her take action to make a difference."

She agreed to join Scarlett on a visit to Dover Food Bank to hand donations there for Christmas and visit her school to talk to pupils about democracy.

The MP said: “ Scarlett is an inspiration to other young people. I am so impressed with her charity work and how much she has achieved at such a young age.

"It is so encouraging to see young people like her take such an interest in the world around them and take action to make a difference. She is a great community ambassador and I look forward to seeing what else Scarlett looks to do and achieve."

Scarlett said:"I think Natalie is quite inspiring as she does a very important job that is hard. I am pleased that when I asked her to come to our school she said she would.

" I am also glad she will be there when I hand over the donations I have collected for Dover Food Bank too."