BORDER dog walkers are being encouraged to get their paws on plastic and help clean up the region.

Litter picking group Paws on Plastic are asking owners to pick up two pieces of discarded plastic each time they take their dog on a walk, helping to reduce the amount of rubbish ending up in the sea.

The group, founded in Stonehaven last November by primary school teacher, Marion Montgomery, is looking to get Borderers involved in their UK wide clean-up.

Founder Marion said: “The strength of Paws on Plastic is its simplicity.

"Dog owners are already out there walking their dogs every day. We see the litter. We have a spare bag in our pocket and it just takes a second to pick up a couple of pieces. No extra time or effort is required.

"With over 1,000 of us (we already have over 1,000 members/followers now on Facebook and Twitter) that’s over 2,000 pieces a day, although, as you will see from posts on Facebook, most people pick up more than two pieces each as it is rather addictive!”

With around nine million dogs in the UK alone, organisers hope to see a big impact if more owners start to pick up plastic up on their walks.

The instructions are simple: Pick items up using a spare poo-bag and take it home to empty, into a recycling bin if possible, saving the bag to use again, then post a photo of your dog on the “Paws on Plastic” Facebook page to celebrate your efforts and help spread the word.

Organisers are reminding anybody wishing to take part to keep themselves, and any accompanying companions, safe whilst little picking.

To join, look for Paws On Plastic on Facebook or follow them on Twitter: @pawsonplastic