AROUND 2,000 poop-a-scoops are being handed out to Silsden dog owners in the continuing battle to rid the town's streets of pooch poo.

Townsfolk have waged war on dog owners who fail to clean up after their animals following the introduction of The Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act. It makes it illegal for dog owners to allow their pets to foul public areas.

Any owner who is reported could face a fine of up to £1,000.

The poop-a-scoop handout is being financed and co-ordinated by Silsden Parish Council, with the free plastic scoops being handed out via shops, stores and schools.

The idea has come from parish clerk and concerned mum Joanne Conway, who saw a newspaper article about a similar scheme being operated in Wales.

Joanne told the Herald: "I thought that was a cheap and easy way of helping dog owners to clean up."

Chairman of Silsden Parish Council, Coun Geoff Whittaker, said the poop-a-scoop handout was part of a major project to rid the town of dog mess.

"This is something that was flagged up by our parish clerk and I felt it was an excellent idea," he said. "If this helps to raise the profile of the issue then they're worth every penny.

"These are just part of a range of ideas which need to be developed in parallel to tackle the dog mess problem."

Two years ago Silsden Parish Council launched a major campaign when the town was "saturated" with posters informing dog owners of the new laws.

This was hailed as a success and now the race is on to get Bradford Council bosses to provide more dog bins where responsible owners can deposit dog mess.

Anyone who would like supplies of the poop-a-scoops should contact Joanne Conway on 01535 654309.

o Silsden parish councillors are hoping to have a new bus shelter installed on Kirkgate to stop the problem of young people congregating there at night.

Ward councillor Eric Dawson, and member of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, said: "The current shelter is not the type of place people will stand. We were looking at the possibility of doing something with it."

Coun Michael Anderson said he had reservations about refurbishing the present shelter as the youngsters might move into the memorial gardens.