The suggestion that children who do something significant to serve the public should also be rewarded in the official honours list has gone down well with prime minister Mark Rutte, Nos television reports.

The Christian Democrats have suggested introducing a special honour for children and Rutte told a parliamentary debate on Wednesday the suggestion fits in well with his government’s drive to create a more participation-based society.

The idea is now being looked at by the official bodies which draw up the annual honours lists, Nos said.