AN EIGHT-year-old boy is putting the environment first by collecting rubbish on the streets.

Maxi Charlton, from Sway, has set up his own event for the second time to encourage others to help him during the street clean-up, which will involve picking up litter on New Milton roads.

He decided to run another event after 64 people turned up to accompany him while cleaning Highcliffe Beach early last year.

Maxi, who is brother to four-year-old sister Elizabeth, then took it in his stride to set up his own littering group as a result.

This year's event is being held in collaboration with zero waste refill shop Naked Pantry - where people can take in their own tubs to buy goods - and they will help Maxi's Eco Warriers group clean the "terribly littered" streets.

Maxi's mum Rachel Charlton said: "Maxi was so chuffed last year, it was his big dream to set up the group.

"We are so excited to see what he can do as he is very aware of things. He even recognised at school that plastic spoons kept being used so he told them and now they use metal cutlery - he was crowned Eco Champion at school [Ballard School, New Milton].

"He also picks up litter in the school playground - he then got a bug for it. He is elated about the event as he wanted to do something else after last year. We even had a hoodie made for him."

The street clean-up will take place on Sunday February 9 at 10am and all those who want to attend will meet and be provided with equipment at Naked Pantry, on Station Road in New Milton.