All 30 children in class 6 at Ramsbury primary school have launched a campaign to keep the village plastic free.

They are organising a ‘Clean Up Ramsbury’ week and they are asking local land owners to open up fenced areas so they can collect up the old tree guards.

They’ve been out on scouting missions to spot the problem areas around the village and they want the whole village to sign up to a charter to keep the countryside plastics free.

“The plastic on the spiral guards shatters into hundreds of tiny pieces when it falls to the ground,” said Enzo.

“Why doesn’t anyone clear them away? Some of these guards have been here for years,” added George.

Class 6 teacher Sian Hayes has galvanised her troops to think of new ways to help the environment.

She said: “The pollution around Ramsbury makes us really sad. We have been out and about evaluating the litter and pollution in the area, and whilst there is the usual spread of plastic bottles, face masks, sweet wrappers and dog poo bags.

“We have realised that in rural areas such as Ramsbury, there are other types of pollution that are finding their way into our countryside and our river – plastic ropes, plastic bags from game feed, plastic wrappers from hay bales and, most of all, plastic tree guards.”

“Because of the ubiquitous way that they are now employed, and subsequently not removed, they have created a pollution problem in our village (and across the country) on an industrial scale.

“Many of us stop and pick up litter when we are out walking – but it’s so much harder to pick up large tree guards.”

The class say they want to have a go at designing eco-friendly alternatives.

Tree guards increase the survival rate of trees by protecting trunks from damage caused by weather and animals.