A six-year-old girl has joined a new campaign aimed at ridding the borough of dogs’ mess.

Caitlin Walker is one of the younger volunteers to join the Green Dog Walker (GDW) project, launched by gardening and environmental group Sheppey Green Friends, and being trailed on the Island.

Caitlin, from Minster, featured in the Times Guardian last year complaining about dog fouling along the Leas.

Aiming to change attitudes about fouling in a non-confrontational, friendly way, volunteers wear green GDW armbands – and their dogs, green GDW collars – showing they have “taken the pledge” to: Clean up after their dog; wear the armband or put the GDW collar on their dog when walking; carry extra dog waste bags; be happy to be approached to 'lend’ a dog waste bag to those without; be a friendly reminder to other dog walkers to clean up after their pets.

Tim Oxley, Swale council’s animal control officer, says he hopes the project would eventually be rolled out across the borough.

He said: “I firmly believe the majority of dog walkers are responsible and the problem is caused by a minority of people who either do not understand, or do not care about the effect that their anti-social behaviour is having on the local area.

“By running a community-led project of this type, it allows the responsible dog owners to send a clear message to everyone that not clearing up after your dog is socially unacceptable.”

Sheppey Green Friends (SGF) – reinstated at the end of 2010 in partnership with regeneration charity Sheppey Matters – will officially launch the project at the Healthy Living Centre, Sheerness, on May 29, when volunteers will be on hand to explain the scheme and sign up more Green Dog Walkers.

• For more information on either the GDW or Sheppey Green Friends, call Sheppey Matters assistant manager, Amanda Duddle, on 01795 585335.