PRIMARY school pupils took part in a tree-planting scheme after discussing the dangers of air pollution.

Every child from Wentworth Primary School, in Maldon, added a trowel of soil to help plant eight trees.

The idea was the brainchild of a pupil who wrote to Maldon mayor Flo Shaughnessy to ask if children in the town could plant 1,000 trees to help make it a healthier place to live.

The school council also wrote to the parent teacher association to ask for a donation to buy the trees to plant around the school.

A spokesman said: “Pupils at Wentworth have been planting trees as a way of having a positive effect on the air we breathe in Maldon after discussing concerns about air pollution.

“The children were delighted that the mayor came along to plant the eighth tree.

“The school council has also been running the Three Parking Rules scheme for the last three years which not only reduces congestion but helps air quality.”

The school is in the process of taking part in the Woodland Trust scheme to plant more trees.