When little Sophie Wells noticed rubbish along the streets as she walked her dog, she knew what to do.

Seven-year-old Sophie, who had also been walking with her mum, returned the following evening.

This time they were armed with rubbish bags and began clearing the areas along Westfield Lane.

Since then Sophie has covered over a mile near her home and filled four bags of rubbish.

Her mum, Kath Wells, said her daughter’s work had made her family think about the broader implications that leaving litter causes.

“We all need to be a bit like Sophie,” she said. “Sophie constantly comments on littering and asks why people do it. On holiday she was mortified that there was rubbish in the harbour; she is very aware of her surroundings.

“Now the nights are drawing in, Sophie is keen to do her litter picks when she can — even asking if she can take some bags to school with her.

“She always says to me, mummy, it’s our community and environment. It’s what we all should be doing to look after it — as a parent, it just makes you so proud.

“To say she is only seven, the values she is learning and embracing from school are being embedded and taken on board.”

Sophie’s hard work has been rewarded by Mansfield mayor Andy Abrahams, who went to her school, Farmilo Primary, Pleasley, to commend her litter-picking at a school assembly.

He presented the youngster with a pink high-vis jacket and matching litter-picking stick, as well as swimming vouchers.

The mayor said Sophie was an inspiration and a superstar, adding: “The pupils have been fantastic. Their knowledge about litter, the environment, and why you should do your bit was second to none.

“She has shown that it’s not words, but actions that count. She saw the litter and took it upon herself to go litter-picking.

“We shouldn’t just walk past litter; we should act, bin it, and get involved to make our communities safer.”

Neil Slater, community safety officer at Mansfield District Council, also went to the school assembly.

The council promotes campaigns throughout the year that encourage residents to Tidy Together and help make the district a cleaner and greener place.

If you notice fly-tipping or areas becoming litter hotspots, you can report it at mansfield.gov.uk/report