A national anti-dog fouling campaign has scooped down on Tonbridge, Hildenborough and Hadlow.

Dog walkers, officers and councillors from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, KCC community warders and PCSO's came together for a 'Bag and Flag' event in each town on Thursday.

Any dog mess found on their journey was bagged up in brightly coloured bags, and left along with a flag to highlight the deposits and persuade irresponsible dog owners to clean up after their pets.

The team focused on Tonbridge Farm Sportsground first where they bagged up more than 60 lots of dog-mess.

Hildenborough was next with 18 brightly coloured bags being flagged up in the Brookmead Estate and Greenview Crescent.

A journey through Hadlow resulted in 8 bag and flags in the Brookfields area.

Volunteers handed out poo bags, badges and even capes for those wanting to be ‘scooper heroes’.

Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council cabinet member for Environmental Services, Cllr Brian Luker said: “This approach to highlighting dog mess in specific areas is a visual demonstration to show people just how big the problem is and to educate them in the steps that can be taken to stamp out the problem rather than stamp in it!"

"This exercise has done a lot to reinforce the Council’s enforcement approach and to get the wider ‘Love Kent’ anti-litter campaign out there to the dog walking community.” - Cllr Brian Luker

‘Love Kent’ is a month-long campaign supported by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council.

The 'Big Scoop' campaign is led by the Dogs Trust in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy. The overall aim is to encourage everyone to pick up after their dogs, creating a safer and cleaner environment for everyone.

A spokesperson for the Council said: "Keep Britain Tidy launched The Big Scoop in 2013, and this is the second time Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council have supported it.

"There was no additional cost for officer time during this event as activities were carried out as part of day-to-day duties. The promotional material was provided by the Dogs Trust at no cost to the Council."

To report a problem of dog fouling in a particular area, click here: www.tmbc.gov.uk or call Streetline on 01732 876060.