A Redhill road has been spruced up thanks to a task force of pupils from a nearby school.

Noke Drive was targeted for the clean-up by 60 Year Nine pupils from The Warwick School.

With help from Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's Parks and Countryside team, the children set to work litter-picking and clearing brambles and weeds along the approach road to the school.

They also cleared away half a skip full of debris, including broken benches and scaffold poles.

The cans and plastic bottles that were collected during the litter-pick will be recycled.

Before they set to work, the pupils were kitted out in high-visibility vests and taught how to use the tools, which included litter-picks, loppers and bow saws, by the council’s Countryside Rangers.

Daniel Poulter, borough council executive member for partnership and communities and ward member for Redhill East, said: “Cleanliness and maintenance of the area was raised as an issue by the community during consultation as part of the Local Community Action Plan for Redhill East.

“By getting involved in this clean-up, Warwick School pupils have contributed to actions in the plan aimed at tackling this issue.”

County councillor Lynne Hack, divisional member for Redhill, who secured funding for the project, said: “The young people involved in the project have done a great job at improving the environment along Noke Drive and they and the school are to be congratulated for all their hard work.”

The borough council’s community liaison team organised the event as part of the school’s Enrichment Week, the theme this year being community and culture. As part of the event, pupils were also given a talk about the results of the Redhill East Local Community Action Plan, what it means for them, and how the day’s activities would help towards the actions in the plan.

After the clean-up the pupils were treated to a picnic in Redhill’s Memorial Park.

Council officers will visit the school again in October to help pupils landscape and plant the cleared area.