An 11-year-old eco-warrior was heralded a role model by teachers after he won an environmental award.

Tolu Ajayi-Obe, from Feltham, was thrilled when he heard he had won the eco-warrior accolade at a schools’ celebration of achievement awards on Tuesday night.

Tolu, of Watermill Way, won the award in recognition of his outstanding achievements as part of an annual award ceremony for Richmond borough pupils.

Having worked hard throughout the year to promote green issues at Archdeacon Cambridge Primary School, Twickenham, Tolu was praised for his involvement with eco-activities, which included giving power-point presentations to younger children and coming up with mini-dramas that featured a green superhero.

He said: “It feels exciting that I was chosen for this award and I am proud of myself that I was able to achieve it.”

The junior environmentalist said he had become an eco-warrior at the school as it was important to know about the environment around us.

He said: “Basically it’s [all about] helping our environment for living, both for others and for ourselves as well.

“[For example] me and my friends planted a tree and it has grown big now and we’ve been doing assemblies about rainforest and Fairtrade.”

Tolu, who is a keen sportsman, added that if he does not end up with a career in sport in the future he would like to work on environmental issues when he grows up.

Deputy headteacher Etain Gibson said the whole school was very proud of Tolu’s achievements and hoped he would continue with his green activities when he moves to secondary school in September.

She said: “He works very hard at it – he’s very passionate. We’re absolutely delighted and feel he really deserves this success. He’s worked very hard and is a very modest person, but very confident and also very caring to the other children and the environment.”