A nationwide search that set out to find the most influential young environmentalists in the UK has identified an anti-plastic campaigner from the South Hams as one of its ‘16 Under 16’.

Seven-year-old Ella Turns is known to the local community of Salcombe and the surrounding area for her efforts to make businesses and individuals be more ‘plastic clever’.

However, it was her 22km paddleboarding mission along the local estuary that caught the judge’s attention and helped to secure a place in the inaugural ‘16 Under 16’ crew.

Kathryn Shuttleworth, managing director of David Luke Eco-Uniform who is the company behind the search, said: “Organising litter picks is one thing, but learning to paddleboard so that you can reach the furthest corners of your local estuary made Ella Turns a stand-out candidate in ‘16 Under 16’.

“Ella’s unique approach to tackling plastic pollution proves that anything is possible when you set your mind to it.”

With the support of mum Anna, Ella is at the forefront of a step-change in attitudes towards marine conservation in her hometown of Salcombe. This recognition comes just after the one year anniversary of Anna and Ella starting the campaign, 'Plastic Clever Salcombe'. Not content with paddling this challenging route once, Ella and Anna returned to the stretch of coastline where her father was born to continue her cause and carried out a second paddleboarding mission on August 17.

Ella said: “I love paddleboarding and picking up plastic litter but it was tricky to combine the two and I had to work hard on my balance!

“I know it can be difficult to remember to avoid single-use plastic items but I’m working hard to help Salcombe become more plastic clever and would encourage everyone to take their own reusable water bottle out on every adventure.”

Known as the 16 Under 16, this group of of extraordinary young people who range in age from 6-15 will now form a collective voice to champion eco issues on behalf of David Luke Schoolwear, the UK’s leading manufacturer of eco-uniform made out of recycled plastic bottles.