DOG fouling has been reduced in Winsford thanks to a successful pilot scheme led by a dedicated residents association.

CLAW, comprising locals from the Crook Lane and Wharton region, found that colour coding each day’s ‘fresh deposits’ with spray paint shamed owners into cleaning up after their pets – with areas seeing up to 90 per cent reductions in fouling.

Meeting at Wharton Library each morning, CLAW members walked a circuit through Dee Way, Dart Walk, Wharton Gardens and Bradbury Road, highlighting any excrement found with a different coloured spray for each day.

Emma Naylor, CLAW group member, said: “The results of this project show just how much difference local people can make in their neighbourhoods if they are prepared to get involved.

“We had a lot of interest in this project and could have covered more areas if we’d had more volunteers.”

The initiative was supported Weaver Vale Housing Trust and Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Social media sites, Twitter and Facebook were also used to keep residents up to date and to raise awareness and generate feedback.

Juliet Aitken, community engagement officer at Weaver Vale Housing Trust said: “Having an active and involved group of local residents in the Crook Lane and Wharton Gardens areas has been key to Weaver Vale Housing Trust offering the right support to tackle issues that are important to the community.

“In this case, residents identified that dog fouling was a particular issue for them in their local community and approached the Trust and Cheshire West and Chester Council with some great and innovative ideas that they wanted to try out.

“We were able to support that and it has proved to be really effective.”

CLAW is now planning the best way forward after the successful pilot.

If you have any ideas about improving the Crook Lane and Wharton Gardens areas, contact via www.facebook.com/claw.winsford or visit the Wharton Community Hub.