Swale council is looking to reward dog owners who pick up after their pet with a new scheme called bag it, bin it, win it.

It’s part of the Foul Play campaign, which was launched by the Times Guardian and Swale council earlier this year and aims to keep the borough tidy by encouraging people to pick up after their pets.

Since it started in February, five people have been given fixed penalty notices by environment wardens, who have caught them in the act of leaving mess behind.

Residents are still asked to report anyone they see not cleaning up after their pets.

But the council is now taking a new approach by rewarding the more responsible dog owners who they see clearing up.

Bag it, bin it and win it is launching across the Island, Sittingbourne and Faversham.

When out and about, anyone the wardens see bagging and binning their pet’s waste will be given a postcard.

This should be filled out with the person’s details and then returned to Swale council where it will be entered into a prize draw.

Abbey Vets in Sheppey has donated a selection of dog products, Pets at Home in Sittingbourne has donated £40 of vouchers and Gladwells Pet and Country Store in Faversham has given £20 of vouchers.

A winner from each part of the borough will be selected and there will also be a grand prize draw where the winner with get a digital camera donated by Swale council.

The competition will run until the end of November.

Cabinet member for environment and rural affairs, Cllr David Simmons, said: “After a summer of reminding people to clean up after their dogs, we are taking this opportunity to thank everyone for their efforts in helping to keep our borough clean.

“There is no excuse and we are grateful to all those residents and visitors to the borough for contributing to help keep Swale a clean and safe place for us all to enjoy.”