PUPILS in east Durham have designed banners to help tackle the scourge of persistent dog fouling in their community.

Monk Hesleden Parish Council, together with the Dogs Trust – Darlington, asked children in Years 5 and 6 of Blackhall Colliery Primary School, in Blackhall, near Peterlee, to design posters following concerns expressed by school staff, parents and local residents about the problem.

The winning entry has been blown up and displayed near the school, where there has been a particular problem, while the others are on display at the parish council offices.

The competition judged by the Dogs Trust, was won by 10-year-old Emma Crute, followed in second place by Grace Fallow, 11, and Robyn Dowling, 10, in third.

All children received their awards in a special school assembly.

Blackhall Primary School head teacher Joanna Clark: “ We are proud of the strong links we have forged with the community and we look forward to the opportunity to help make a positive difference to the local environment.

“All the children enjoyed taking part in the competition and in doing so they developed an understanding and awareness of the problem.”

Parish council chairman Cllr Gaynor Crute, said: “The children put a lot of thought and effort into designing their banners and we hope that the message that this sends out will shame the small minority of dog walkers into clearing up after their pets.

“The streets of our village belong to everyone and the children feel very strongly that they have a right to get to and from their school in a clean and safe environment”.