Seven-year-old Annie Hawkins from Crawfordsburn organised a beach clean at Helen’s Bay. The event followed her reading Elizabeth Beresford’s books about The Wombles.

Annie gathered her family for the activity on a Sunday morning. She invited local families and friends to join. Participants collected litter along the shoreline.

The group obtained litter pickers from the council in Donaghadee. Annie’s 10-month-old sister Joni attended. Annie plans to hold another event.

Annie’s mother Claire stated her daughter enjoys reading and took initiative after the books. Claire noted Annie had used council litter pickers there before.