FOR many teenagers, life after A-levels consists of parties, holidays and a general "do nothing" approach, but for 18-year-old Aman Bhatti it has been an altogether harder affair.

Hailing from Trubshaw Road, Southall, Aman's environmental conscience has spurred him on to a much more worthy and laborious course of action.

He is spearheading ITV's Big Clean Up campaign taking place in east London, with the aim of improving the area's natural habitat.

He said: "Everyone is responsible for the environment. This is a great chance for people to get involved and help make London greener. I know people in London care more than most people think, this is our chance to prove to everyone that young people can make a difference."

Having achieved three A grades in biology, chemistry and maths in his recent A-Level exams at Drayton Manor High School, Aman is thinking about studying dentistry at King's College London. But he initially got involved in the project because he was bored with having "nothing to do".

"I have given up my whole summer holidays to organise the clean-up day," he says without regret. "My parents are certainly pleased I've been doing something productive and are quite excited that it will be broadcast.

"We've been trying to get in touch with local organisations to get them involved but it has been hard because schools and colleges have been closed.

"I've always been interested in problems of global warming and in preserving our environment. This is a step towards making our world more eco-friendly."

GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips is one of many celebrities who has given their support for the campaign. She said: "It's easy to say that young people aren't interested in environmental issues but The Big Clean-Up will prove that the opposite is true.

"Whether tidying up neglected parks or helping out on large-scale projects we'll prove that people can make a difference to local communities."

The day which Aman has been organising takes place on September 17 at Lea Park, east London, home of the Olympics.

He said: "We will be creating a pond in a wildlife garden and improving flower beds.

"We also want to clear out the filter beds of old Victorian water works so people can see a sculpture called the Magic Fish which has been hidden by weeds for years."

The ITV Big Clean Up is being run in partnership with CSV, the UK's largest volunteering charity. It is looking to mobilise 4,000 young people to volunteer at more than 20 projects across the country.

Anyone wanting to take part can visit: www.csv.org.uk/bigcleanup or call Aman Bhatti on 020 7812 0031.