A village's children are being asked to contribute to the fight against selfish dog owners who let their pets foul public places.

Wraysbury resident Henry Perez, 76, is organising a competition for children to design a poster reminding people to 'bag up, tie up and bin' after their dogs foul in public places.

He said that in December a villager's dog became ill after eating mess from another dog whose owner had not scooped it up.

The villager Pat McFadden suggested a competition and Mr Perez agreed to run it.

He said: "I decided I would run with it.

"I was already aware of problems faced by Wraysbury Football Club who regularly have to scoop up on their pitch at Wraysbury Memorial Ground prior to the clubs training sessions and games.

"Apart from being anti social behaviour not clearing up after one's dog fouls public places it also creates a serious health risk, especially for children."

The competition launches on Monday and it will run until April 23.

Groups participating will include Wraysbury Primary School, Angels pre school and Pumpkins in both Wraysbury and Horton, the Wraysbury scouts, guides, brownies, cubs, rainbows and Wraysbury Football Club youth section.

The competition is divided into the following age groups:- under 4, four to six, seven to 10 and 11 to 16.

Each of the award winners will receive a cash prize and the four first place winners will also receive a ticket for four persons to attend the Discover Dogs Show in London.

The judges will include the chairman of Wraysbury Parish Council, plus representatives of Wraysbury WI, Wraysbury Community Trust, the Parochial Charities and the Kennel Club of Great Britain, as well as A local 14 year old schoolgirl doing the Duke of Edinburgh Award, the Community Police Officer and Local Community Warden.

Mr Perez said: "I have had fantastic support from everyone for this poster competition. I am sure the children will create some wonderful posters as a reminder to people to bag up, tie up and bin after their dogs foul. “