A NEW initiative to encourage children to pick up litter in return for discounts from local businesses is to be launched soon

The North Coast Youth Forum have been working on a project with Largs Community Council centred around an anti-litter awareness campaign.

The young people in the group are promoting the 'Love Largs' project to their peers within the school community, with cash off in Largs shops as an incentive to take part.

In conjunction with Largs Community Council and NAC Streetscene, teens will also carry out a major litter pick around Largs Academy school campus once a year, as well as weekly ones around town.

They will note types of litter found and the most prolific locations where it's found to help with the placement of new bins.

All those taking part within the school will get issued with a tie pin and will get a discount from certain shops and cafés within the Largs locality if they display the badge.

The group have now applied for Largs Locality Planning funding from North Ayrshire Council to kick off the initiative.

Community councillor Robbie Stevenson, who is helping to run the project, said: "The idea is to have little emoji badges for each school pupil and to get rewarded with discounts from various shops and premises in Largs.

"Both the North Coast Youth Forum and the Largs Community Council have applied for funding for the initiative.

"The principle of the idea is very positive and Nardini's Cafe in Largs have been among the first to sign up. We are hoping other local businesses can sign up and get involved.

"The Love Largs Bin Litter posters are to be stepped up to, and be placed at prominent spots around the town including playparks and on street railings - and Largs Community Council are in touch with North Ayrshire Council and Amey regarding this."

Posters have been also designed for shop windows and small businesses getting involved.