A YOUNG boy is hoping to encourage dog owners to pick up after their pets.

Alex Forsyth, six, from Chester-le-Street, wants dog owners to do the right thing when it comes to protecting the environment.

After becoming the proud owner of a Labrador puppy named Lily, Alex and his mum, Victoria, began walking her regularly around their local area.

They soon noticed the irresponsible actions of a minority of dog walkers who had failed to pick up their dog’s waste.

Taking matters into his own hands, Alex designed an anti-dog fouling poster to persuade other dog owners to follow his lead and make sure dog foul is collected and put into a bin.

He said: “Once, I stood in a dog poo and it was horrible.”

The poster was sent to Alex’s local MP, Kevan Jones, and subsequently passed onto Durham County Council, which presenting him with a framed print of his poster.

Council spokesman Oliver Sherratt said: “We are thrilled with Alex’s initiative and passion to deter other dog owners from acting irresponsibly.”