TWO boys described as “little heroes” have been praised by hundreds of residents after undertaking a river clean up.

Ryan Evans, 12, and his friend Ryan Patton, were heading to the beach in Old Colwyn when Ryan (Evans) phoned his mother Hazel to say they were no longer at the beach - but instead, had decided to go to the river.

Alarmed at first, Hazel was left reassured after the boys, who will be in year eight when they start back at Ysgol Bryn Elian in September, told her they were clearing out the river after noticing a large amount of rubbish.

They returned the next day, this time armed with wellies and marigolds.

Hazel said: "We had just got back from Turkey and he missed his friend, so they decided to meet up. They said they were going to go to the beach when I got a phone call - because he has to tell me where he is - saying they were going to the river.

"At first I asked - 'is that actually what you are doing?' when he said they had jumped into the river and decided to clean it.

"They spent about and hour or two and had a bin bag full. 

"They went back the next day, this time, armed with marigolds.

"I walk past there and there was not one piece of rubbish left."

The proud mum posted on the Facebook Group - Residents of Old Colwyn past and present - about how pleased she was with the boys' efforts.

She was amazed at the response after it received about 400 reactions and 200 comments.

"I had never posted on the group before," Hazel said.

"I was just so proud and the response was amazing. They were praised and people commented that they had set a good example to others.

"I was really moved by some of the comments. A cafe responded that they would give them a free milkshake as a thank you."

Ryan (Evans) used to be in the 3rd pack Old Colwyn scouts.

Chelsea Nichols-Jones, Ryan Evans's cousin, added: "He has been taught to look after our community. Both families and the locals are very proud."