LOCAL children and community councillors have joined forces in a bid to keep safe routes to school in Wallyford free of dog dirt.

Youngsters put their artistic talents to good use to design posters which have been put up to reinforce the message for dog owners to clean up after their pets.

They are being urged to use the 21 litter bins around the village which are emptied by the East Lothian Council’s amenity services.

The initiative was also supported by the council and Wallyford Primary School Parent Council.

East Lothian Courier: Colourful posters have been created to try to tackle the problemColourful posters have been created to try to tackle the problem

Alister Hadden, community council chairman, said: “This alliance came about when East Lothian Council’s amenity services were receiving complaints regarding dog mess and litter along the safe routes to Wallyford Primary School.

“One is the Wallyford Pug pathway from Salters Road to Inchview Road.

“Amenity services, which also provides a dog watch service, contacted Wallyford Community Council and asked if the school could become involved by erecting signage to get home the message to dog owners/walkers to clean up after their pets.”

East Lothian Courier: Dog fouling is being tackled through a series of postersDog fouling is being tackled through a series of posters

The community council donated £74 to the parent council for the schoolchildren to design and erect posters along the safe routes to school.

Mr Hadden said: “Posters have been put on lampposts and railings to emphasise the clear message to keep the safe routes to school clean and free of dog poo and litter.”

Emma Hay, chairperson of Wallyford Parents and Carers Council, said: “We were so pleased to be able to do something to hopefully tackle this issue.

“We couldn’t have done it without the support and encouragement of the community council, and the pupils in P5/6 produced some fantastic art work for us.”

Stuart Baxter, the council’s Connected Communities manager, said: “This is a fantastic initiative by all involved and the school pupils’ posters are a great way to get the message across.

“It is clear that this issue means a lot to the young people and clearly shows the pride they have in their village and community.”

Any surplus funds left over following the initiative will go towards purchasing and planting daffodil bulbs for each pupil at the school in early autumn.