A schoolboy has been bringing smiles to the faces of villagers - and raising money for the NHS - by taking his daily exercise dressed as a dinosaur.

Fun-loving youngster Ollie Rutt's exploits began when he donned the costume for the weekly Clap for Carers, much to the delights of neighbours in East Malling as he banged on a saucepan during the Thursday night event.

Now, inspired by the fundraising efforts of Colonel Tom Moore, the 11-year-old St James The Great Academy pupil is planning to walk a combined distance of 10 miles on the streets near his Elm Crescent home in the inflatable outfit.

Proud mum Jennie Roud said: "Every Thursday for the NHS clap he goes outside in the street with a saucepan dressed as an inflatable dinosaur.

"Our neighbours and especially the children love it and it adds a bit of humour to our dark days. He has been inspired by Colonel Tom’s fundraising and decided he wanted to do his bit."

Ollie has found other ways to inject some fun into the lockdown. He has also been colouring in rainbows and hiding them around the village for other children to find.

He has also been leaving colouring sheets out for people to use, and has even taken to writing a weekly joke which he pins up in the nearby bus stop for people to read as they pass by.

Asked about the reaction to his exploits, Ollie said: "It's been amazing, I just wanted to make people laugh and smile."

People in the community have even been coming to their front doors to wave to the youngster as he makes his way past in costume. "I feel famous," he said.

Money raised from donations for his 10-mile walking challenge will be donated to the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Charitable Fund.

To donate visit Ollie's fundraising page

Read more: All the latest news from Malling