It was a bracing start to the week.

Eastern Daily Press: Rackheath Primary School pupils picking up litter around the village. Pupil Hannah Scotten, 10.Picture: ANTONY KELLYRackheath Primary School pupils picking up litter around the village. Pupil Hannah Scotten, 10.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

Rather than holing up in a warm classroom, youngsters at Rackheath Primary School braved the snow and cold of Monday morning for a community project.

Wrapped up in earmuffs, hats and scarves, the children took to various parts of the village, including woodland off Willoughby Way, armed with their litter-pickers.

Eastern Daily Press: Rackheath Primary School pupils picking up litter around the village. Pupils Hannah Scotten, 10, and Bethan Lancaster, 9, with Jamie Henry, environmental contracts officer at Broadland Council.Picture: ANTONY KELLYRackheath Primary School pupils picking up litter around the village. Pupils Hannah Scotten, 10, and Bethan Lancaster, 9, with Jamie Henry, environmental contracts officer at Broadland Council.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

It came as part of the Great British Spring Clean initiative, a national drive to keep the country tidy.

Headteacher Chris Ashman said each class had been given an area to clean, and that the project contributed to the primary's ongoing focus as an eco-friendly school.

Eastern Daily Press: Rackheath Primary School pupils picking up litter around the village.Picture: ANTONY KELLYRackheath Primary School pupils picking up litter around the village.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2018)

'It was an interesting start with the weather,' he said, 'but they did a great job and collected loads of rubbish.'

The children were joined by Jamie Henry, environmental contracts officer at Broadland District Council, joined them on the litter-picking to then collect the bags.