A COMMUNITY has grouped together in an effort to address environmental issues and educate people about dropping litter in their village. Residents living in the newly-formed parish of Flitch Green (formally the Oakwood Park estate, Little Dunmow) held the

A COMMUNITY has grouped together in an effort to address environmental issues and educate people about dropping litter in their village.

Residents living in the newly-formed parish of Flitch Green (formally the Oakwood Park estate, Little Dunmow) held their first ever Eco-Community Day at Flitch Green Primary School.

Involving children across the whole school, the aim of the day was to start educating people about why no one should drop litter and to learn about the effects on the environment and recycling.

Teacher and organiser Lisa German said: "Children made various items from recycled materials, such as dinosaurs from cardboard boxes and paper mache bowls from newspaper.

"At lunch time families came in for a picnic lunch and afterwards the whole school, parents, police officers and other residents from the Oakwood Park development went on a litter pick around the development and nature reserve."

She added that the school is currently working towards green flag status in the government Eco Schools initiative and that the activity was part of the school's action plan for gaining the status.

"The litter pick is being entered into The Big Tidy up and we are hoping for an award for clearing litter around the local community," said Mrs German.