Schoolboy Charlie Hammell was so angry over rubbish left by visitors who converged on his village to enjoy the snow, he launched his own clean-up operation.

Like many others, the youngster and his family took to the slopes around Bredhurst to do some sledging over the wintry snap.

They were amazed to see how many people also turned up from further afield carrying crates of beer, wine and food to enjoy time out in the snow.

However, when Charlie returned during the meltdown, he discovered a sea of debris strewn over the area known as Strawberry Fields.

The Hempstead Junior School pupil pleaded with his parents, Claire and John, to let him clear up.

And later that day, after four hours, the nine-year-old had filled six bin liners.

He said: "It was disgusting. If you have a pet, then you would look after it. We should be thinking of the world like that, looking after it."

Proud mum Claire said her son had a keen respect for the environment and was eager to seize the opportunity and help out.

Speaking from the family home in Kemsley Street Road, she said: "He has always been very kind and caring.

"He loves watching the David Attenborough programmes and was so glad that, especially in lockdown, he could actually do something.

"His school has taught him so much on how to look after the world and the environment. I think he may carry on his mission after this."

Claire added that at one point about 50 cars parked up along around roads in the village to make their way to the sledging slopes.

Bredhurst Parish Council chairman Vanessa Jones said residents also turned out in force to tidy up their village in the aftermath.

She said: "I think this lockdown, people have gone stir-crazy. During the snow, there was little social distancing and people were phoning other families inviting them to come along.

"If you are coming to the countryside, show respect for residents and the countryside. It's always down to us to clear up afterwards."

Caroline Thomas, a mum-of-two from nearby Parkwood, visited for walk with her family and was dismayed with what she saw.

She said: "It showed a total disregard. There were little bits of plastic everywhere, beer cans, 'sold' signs and masks.

"It just saddened us to see the little respect that people had."

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