Eight-year-old Chesterfield girl devotes school holidays to helping rid her community of litter

Isla Hutchinson, from North Wingfield, decided to take action after watching a programme while at school about the oceans and the effects that dropping litter can have on sea life.

Determined to make a difference, she asked for a litter picker for Easter and has spent several days throughout the school holidays picking up discarded items in areas around Tupton Hall School and North Wingfield.

The eco-conscious schoolgirl has collected dozens of bags of litter – all of which have been either put in the family bin at home or taken to a nearby tip.

Her mum, Marie Hutchinson, said: “She was really upset that a baby turtle had been caught up in the plastic wrapping from beer cans and it had stopped it’s shell from growing properly.

"Since watching this Isla has become more aware of all the rubbish on our walks, asking us why people can’t just take their litter home with them. That is when she asked for a litter picker and was determined to pick up as much as she could throughout the holidays.”

Marie said Isla has been particularly annoyed by the amount of filled dog poo bags she has found hanging in trees or dumped on the ground while out doing her litter picks.

She added: “She takes two bin liners, one for the Black bin waste and one for bottles and cans to recycle . We have been using our bins untill full and then we have been to the tip with the rest.”

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