PRIMARY school children got their hands dirty as they took part in a ‘fatberg’ awareness campaign.

Year five pupils at Bacup's Holy Trinity Stacksteads CE Primary School took part in a variety of activities in how the sewer system can be clogged up.

Masses of fat, oil grease, wet wipes and other waste which clogs up drains are known as ‘fatbergs’.

Organised by Lanes for Drains, a campaign started to educate children on sewer cleanliness, 38 children take part in the sessions.

The children took part in creating their own fatbergs, they were shown them how to avoid them and were awarded certificates for their efforts.

Jenni Ringland, a teacher at the Ager Street school, said the day was a success.

She said: “The children really enjoyed taking part and learnt a lot.

“It’s important to educate children about what can and what can’t go down our drains as they will hold onto that knowledge and take it on board.

“The children said they would go home and tell their family what they can put down the drain.

“They really liked receiving their certificates, they’re fully fledged ‘fatberg fighters’ now.”

The campaign comes as a 130-tonne fatberg was found in London’s sewers last month.

Andy Brierley, director at Lanes for Drains, said United Utilities found the average household pours 14 pounds of fat, oils and grease down its drains each year.

She said: “Fatbergs have become a global talking point of late after the discovery of the 130-tonne fatberg in Whitechapel.

“It’s clear that public behaviour has to change to avoid this serious issue, which not only has a big impact on the drainage network but also on the environment.

“In a recent survey we conducted, 93 per cent of respondents said they thought the British public needed more education about the dangers of fatbergs and how to avoid them.

“We’ve listened to the public and by working with schools we are confident that we can create a nation of young Fatberg fighters who can spread awareness through their families and beyond.”