Children from north Deal are raising awareness over the dangers of dog fouling in areas where they wish to play.

The group dressed up as fairies, princesses and spiderman and gathered at north Deal playing fields on Western Road last week to promote the Keep Britain Tidy campaign.

The campaign, There’s No Such Thing as The Dog Poo Fairy, aims to raise awareness of toxocariasis, an infection found in dog faeces which causes partial blindness in up to 100 children every year.

Community organisers, Kerry Rubins, Wesley Clark and Kim Chegwin have been helping the children and volunteers to voice their views.

Louise Butler, 22, of Stanhope Road, said: “All they have to do is get it on their hands. It’s all children that become affected by it and it can make them blind. People just need to pick it up, it’s the same as not flushing the toilet when you’re at home, you just wouldn’t do it.”

“So many children suffer with toxocariasis and it’s outrageous that people aren’t taking responsibility.” - Emily Fairless.

Emily Fairless, 38, of Western Road, uses the park with her children as her home backs onto the playing fields.

She said: “So many children suffer with toxocariasis and it’s outrageous that people aren’t taking responsibility.”

The group also explained there are no signs on regular bins to clarify that owners can dispose of dog waste so long as it is put into bags.

Chrissie Clifton, of Mary Road, said: “A lot of people have worked very hard for a long time to get this park going and it is nothing more than a dog toilet.”

The North Deal Community Partnership has been working with the district council over the last few years to try and create a safe and enjoyable place for children to play.

For the full story read this week's East Kent Mercury - out now.