A children's poetry competition is the latest weapon introduced to stamp out dog fouling at Silsden.

The initiative has been launched by local parish council chairman Councillor Geoff Whittaker.

He hopes the venture will help raise the profile of his drive to combat irresponsible behaviour by dog owners in the town.

Cllr Whittaker says: "If local children would like to produce a poem or poems on the environment, pets and pet-care, anti-social behaviour in leaving dog excrement and submit them to the parish council, these could be judged, and the best ten reproduced and displayed around the town."

For years the town's councillors have worked hard to try and wipe out their pooch problem, and have produced many posters warning dog owners of the possibility of prosecution.

Recently the parish council also took delivery of a huge consignment of cardboard pooper-scoops that are being distributed throughout the town.

Councillors are now hoping for an influx of doggie-do ditties and poo-ems from the town's school children.

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