CHILDREN, pictured, who helped spruce up their communities in Southampton were rewarded for their tireless work with a trip to the Houses of Parliament.

Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead invited 24 youngsters, all junior neighbourhood wardens, to have a look around Westminster.

The youngsters, aged ten to 12, have volunteered to pick up litter, clean up graffiti and notify adults of any repair work, such as broken windows, which needs doing near their homes.

The children, who come from Redbridge, Shirley, Millbrook, Lordshill and Maybush, wear fluorescent jackets for easy recognition.

Echo picture by Malcolm Nethersole. Order no: radC0ED3