Around 200 dog owners have signed up to a campaign to reduce dog mess in Porthleven.

Local people and visitors joined the launch event at the Harbour Head last Wednesday, which included free micro-chipping of dogs.

The event coincided with the date that it became a legal requirement to have all dogs in the UK over the age of eight weeks micro-chipped and registered to an approved database.

Dog owners visited the stalls set up at the Harbour Head between 11am and 4pm to find out more, as well as receive free dog bag dispensers, with activities for children include colouring and a Spot the Dog treasure hut.

The main aim was to get people to sign up to the campaign to reduce dog mess in the port by pledging to always clean up after their animals.

Porthleven Town Council has been working on the campaign with pupils at Porthleven School, who last year wrote an open letter to the community describing their concerns about dog fouling in the village.

Their comments won the town council’s support after pupils wrote experiences such as "I went for a walk and there was poo on the beach, in the lane and by the swings – it was everywhere" and "My mummy found 20 large pieces of dog poo in one field and was really cross. She picked up every single piece of poop."

In response, Porthleven Town Council decided to run a competition inviting the youngsters to design their own logo to send out a message to grown-ups.

The winning design by pupil Lyla will adorn posters and stickers across the village, a reminder to all owners to take responsibility for their dogs.

Philippa Mina, who is on the campaign working party, said: "It was a successful kick off and we had quite a lot of volunteers come onboard. What the kids have done is get the adults' attention."

Porthleven and Cornwall Councillor Andrew Wallis agreed: "Wednesday saw the launch of Porthleven’s fight-back against those irresponsible dog owners who fail to pick up their dogs mess.

"Everyone says 'It is not me, I always pick-up,' however dog poo that’s not picked up blights our open spaces and pavements. It is also a health hazard.

"The campaign has been made possible by a small working group being formed that is made up of residents and Porthleven Town Council, who worked with the children at Porthleven School to deliver a simple campaign message: 'You know what to do, please pick up my poo'."

Further awareness will now be raised through posters and stickers being placed throughout the port to remind dog owners.