Almost 200 infant school pupils have chanted and sung their way through a town to encourage residents to save the planet.

All 180 pupils at Westmeads Community Primary School paraded through Whitstable, chanting slogans such as "please, please save our trees", and performing songs on the seafront to their parents and passers-by.

Head teacher Helen Lambirth said that after learning about the importance of protecting the natural environment, the youngsters had been inspired to spread the message to the wider community.

She said: "They've been learning about deforestation and about plastic in the oceans, and they're feeling quite passionate - they recognise the urgency of the situation and they wanted to share it.

"My generation didn't learn some of the things these children have learned.

"I think, had we learned more then, that perhaps we'd have done something and we wouldn't be in the situation we're in now."

Westmeads has already introduced a number of changes, aimed at reducing the school's environmental impact.

In March, parents of pupils at the Cromwell Road school were urged to avoid buying plastic red noses for Comic Relief. In an effort to reduce single-use plastic, children were instead invited to paint their faces and wear wacky hairdos.

"We listen to the children and take their advice and ideas on board, and go with that," said Ms Lambirth after the march on Monday.

"It does make us think about what we do day in, day out - our school's trying to choose products that are environmentally friendly, that are single-use plastic free.

"I think they've had a good time and they'll remember it. Hopefully, fingers crossed, things will change in the future."

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