A LARGS schoolboy is taking it upon himself to spruce up Largs - after being left horrified by the state of beaches in the area.

St Mary’s Primary pupil Connor Macdougall, 10, has created the Wildlife Warriors beach clean club after becoming dismayed at the deterioration in the area's shoreline.

The intuitive youngster is organising the clean-ups after completing his Sir John Muir Award at school, which teaches pupils about the environment and the importance of looking after it.

Connor’s mum Alida Lanni says she is proud of her son’s passion for the environment.

She said: “Connor did the award course last year while at home and he is now wanting to use what he learned to improve the community.

“We were out for lunch in Fairlie one day and while down near the shore he noticed that the beach had a lot of rubbish on it.

“There were bin bags and litter everywhere, and Connor said he wanted to clean it up as it wasn’t good for the fish or the environment.

“I wanted to encourage it, and we did a beach clean with a bunch of friends, covering all the way from Costa in Largs right around to Aubrey.”

The event fuelled the conscientious youngster's desire to clean up the town and he is now aiming to organise a clean in the area every month.

Alida added: “We want to everyone in Largs to come down and take part and show the tremendous community spirit that exists in the town.

“It will be the perfect chance to come together as a community now lockdown is easing.

“In the past everybody in Largs knew everyone else, but unfortunately it is not like that anymore. Hopefully these beach cleans can change that.”

Alida says the Join Muir Award has helped Connor and other youngsters be more aware of what they can do to help.

She explained: “I don’t think the environment is something that many kids ever think about, especially when you are 10-years-old.

“The Sir John Muir Award helps children to open their eyes to the wildlife that is out there and the different ways they can take care of the environment.

“It gets youngsters out of the house and gives them ideas on what to do outside, instead of just sitting in front of a computer or games console all the time, and that can only be a good thing.”

If you are interested in joining the Wildlife Warrior beach cleans, message Alida on Facebook.