A CARING schoolboy fed up of fishing while surrounded by litter decided to take matters into his own hands.

Tommy Whale, 10, regularly goes fishing with his dad Bradley at Gloucester Park.

After getting annoyed by litter spoiling their trips, the Fairhouse Junior School pupil persuaded his dad to help him clean up the lake.

Mum Julie-Ann Whale, of Brownlow Bend, Basildon, said: “Tommy started asking about all the litter and why it was there.

“It’s disgusting. There is a lot it everywhere and he said he wanted to clear it up. He is very thoughtful and always has been.

“I was a bit shocked when he told me what he wanted to do. You don’t hear that frommany 10- year-olds during the summer holidays.”

Pat Rackley, councillor for St Martin’s ward, said: “I would like to congratulate this boy for being so communityminded.”