Children’s art the latest weapon in the war on dog fouling

Pupils from Blackhall Primary School took part in a poster competition in which the theme was the campaign against dog fouling.

The school’s deputy headteacher Rachel Leonard said it was a cause which was really important in the area and the school was determined to play its part.

“We are part of the Blackhall Youth Project which also involves local councillors, PCSOs, the community centre and schools. We get together once a month and discuss issues.

“One which came up recently was dog fouling in the area and how it is becoming an increasing problem.”

Rachel said the children of the school were keen on playing their part and described how they wanted to get involved.

“We wanted to do something to raise awareness and decided on a poster competition.”

Sixty children from Blackhall Primary School took part and they “came up with lots of ideas and slogans,” said Rachel.

She added: “The children came up with them on their own.”

The competition produced three winners who were each given a certificate and a voucher. The prizes were handed out to the winners at a special assembly in the school.

Rachel added: “The winning posters are going to be displayed in the area.”

The children did more than just sit in the classroom and paint the posters.

Rachel added: “Children worked around the area. They worked around the school every day.”

She described dog fouling in the area around the school as “a problem” and added: “Children are having to dodge it between the church and the school and we have even had it in the school playgrounds.”

The eventual winners of the poster competition were Grace Fallow, aged 10, Emma Crute, aged nine and Robyn Dowling, aged 10.