Litter picker Danny Cox, five, had a date with royalty when he received a Tidy Britain Group award for his efforts to keep his area tidy.

Danny, of Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford, was given his Queen Mother's Birthday Award by HRH Princess Alexandra in a ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, yesterday.

The awards, organised by Tidy Britain Group, honour people or groups who have made a positive and lasting change to their environment.

Danny was described as having an 'infectious enthusiasm' for picking up litter. He has taken part in many clean-ups, including one at St Sepulchre's Cemetery near his home, in which he collected three bags of rubbish.

WhenDanny was nominated, his mum Lucinda Leech. Danny has been honoured by Oxford City Council who gave him his own specially designed litter picker. He was also chosen as a figure head for the Tidy Britain Group's National Spring Clean event in Oxford in April.

Tidy Britain Group Director General, Professor Graham Ashworth said: "Danny has shown no matter how old you are, you can make a difference.

"I thank him on behalf of the people of Oxford and congratulate him on receiving this award. The boy is an inspiration and I just hope people sit up and take notice of what he has done and think: I can join in, I can help care for my local area."

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