The Queen has been urged by pupils of a Kent primary school to stop using plastic carrier bags.

And they have made the same request in letters to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and their local MP Gwyn Prosser.

Teachers Mark Warner and Rachel Graham said they had been impressed by the campaigning spirit of their Year 5 pupils at The Downs Primary School in Deal. The children were supporting a Ban the Bag campaign in their area.

Act now, urges Brown

Mr Warner said: “The children researched the topic using the internet, as well as national and local newspaper articles, including those featured in the East Kent Mercury. They also found lots of persuasive words and phrases which they could use in their own writing.”

As part of their homework, the nine and 10 year olds became investigative reporters to discover which shops in the Deal area were giving out free carrier bags.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said she could not disclose the Queen's private thoughts on the matter at this stage but the school should receive Her Majesty's reply soon.