ARTISTIC youngsters have joined the fight against dog dirt in a Huddersfield district village.

Dozens of pupils from Shelley First School entered a competition to design an anti-dog fouling poster for the village.

The top prize of £25 went to Ryan Gledhill, with second placed Harry Lea taking home £15. Third place and £10 went to Lewis Beardsell.

The competition was hosted by Shelley Community Association and chairman Malcolm McDonald said it had attracted a record number of entries.

Clr McDonald, also a member of Kirkburton Parish Council, said they had decided to launch the competition after a village questionnaire revealed that dog poo was residents’ number one complaint.

He said: “Most of the dog dirt is on the road to the school, so we launched the competition with the theme ‘clean up after your dog or face a fine’.

“Kids are passionate about the environment and it’s really caught the imagination of the children – they’ve produced some really graphic designs.”

Clr McDonald said the winning poster would be laminated and put up around the village.

And he added that it was about time dog owners thought about the effect they’re actions were having.

“Kirklees are taking it seriously,” he said.

“It’s all about the feel good factor when you’re walking around your village.

“I passionately believe that dogs should not be allowed in the children’s play area.

“Some people have said the play area is out of bounds to their children because of the amount of dog poo.”