A LITTLE girl who charmed her binmen got an unexpected surprise after giving them a “Happy Spring” card.

Emma O’Brien, three , loves cars and trucks and has always been fascinated by the binmen who collect rubbish from her home in Colyers Reach, Chelmsford.

She loves watching the binmen so much her mother, Annamaria, 32, suggested she drew them a card to thank them fo r their hard work.

But the family wer e surprised and delighted when the binmen returned the favour with some Disney-themed goodies a week later.

Emma said: “I gave them a card and they gave me a toy.

“I love the binmen, they are my friends.”

Her astonished father, Joe, 30, said the men had stopped by after their weekly shift after they were “charmed” by the little girl’s enthusiasm.

He said: “Emma likes to wave at the men and their lorry and gave them a card to say happ y springtime, but a week later they knocked o n the door and gave her the Frozen toys. It was suc h a nice surprise .

“It really made Emma smile and we’d like them to get the recognition they deserve for their kindness.”