Children on an Oxford estate have been doing their bit for the community - and earning some treats in return.

About 30 youngsters living in Blackbird Leys have signed up to the Junior Warden scheme, which sees them team up with the estate's street wardens.

The junior wardens are all aged between eight and 13 and live on the estate.

They shadow the street wardens for up to half an hour at a time and have taken part in a litter picking session and two leaflet drops telling people about youth activities on the estate.

Rewards have included a trampolining lesson at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre, and a trip to Pitt Rivers Museum and Oxford University Museum of Natural History in Parks Road.

A bowling session is also planned for next week, which the street wardens hope will be subsidised by the Blackbird Leys Parish Council.

Senior street warden Malcolm Taylor said: "The children learn that if they give something they can take something out.

"We tell them it is their estate and they can make it look better.

"We have about 15 to 18 junior wardens at the moment who are really keen and want to be involved in everything.

"I think it is good to get the kids involved and give them a sense of direction and a sense of pride in their estate."

The Junior Warden scheme was suspended last year due to a lack of staff training, but resumed in the Easter holidays.

Before the scheme was suspended, junior wardens had also pointed out areas which were being targeted by graffiti taggers and checked tax discs on cars.

Natasha Woodley, from Birchfield Close, said her children Tilly, 10, and Simone, 12, were involved in the scheme.

Mrs Woodley said: "I think it is great for Tilly, it gives her something to do without me being there all the time and she really enjoys it.

"I do think it teaches them to take a pride in their estate, and realise that the street wardens are there for a purpose."

Simone said: "I would really like to go trampolining again and go to more museums - I want to be an archaeologist."