He said he was immensely impressed by their concerns – especially about litter and dog mess – their intelligent and interesting questions, their respect for the community in which they live and their enthusiasm to help make it better.

He said: "I was staggered by their attitudes. "Some young people don't have any respect for their commu-nity but the vast majority of them do and this shone through when I visited the school.

"What can be better for them and our town if we can get them at this age? They know what they want to see." And he added: "As part of the Pride in Pickering campaign we will constantly liaise with all schools."

Headteacher Kevin Macklan pledged the school's support for the campaign and added that the children are also working with the Pickering in Bloom group to redesign the flowerbeds in Smiddy Hill. He said the final designs, which will incorporate things like the Pike and Ring, will be ready shortly.