How empty bottles of ketchup could help tackle the problem of dog poo in Warwickshire

Dog walkers in Warwickshire could be greeted by the sight of ketchup bottles on their routes, in a bid to help keep the countryside clean.

The idea has been put together by a Facebook group called Lily The Lab & Friends, who will be filling the bottles with poo bags so dog owners can take one if they don't have any themselves.

Michelle Courtnage, one of the administrators on the group, said: "We are a group of dog owners who encourage and support each other, and organise sociable group walks.

"We are about to distribute, along popular dog walking routes, re-purposed ketchup bottles filled with poo bags in the hope that dog owners around the county will take responsibility for their dog’s mess.

"These bottles will be refilled regularly by us as we go on our walks."

The bags are supplied by Wayne McLanaghan from Oscars Pet Foods, and Julian Platts from Husse Mid Warwickshire Pet Food.

The group covers a lot of Warwickshire and during lockdown they went out in socially distanced groups around the areas of Kenilworth, Stoneleigh, Warwick, Leamington and Alcester.

"We will be hoping to place the poo bag holders in these locations if allowed," added Michelle.

"The group was actually set up nearly a year ago by myself who owns Lily, a fox red Labrador, and Bonnie, a black Labrador, and as they love all breeds we are not breed specific, hence the 'friends' in our name.

"We have grown so quickly we now have 800 members."

"As well as being friendly and good fun as possible we also have many experts on board, such as dog behaviourists, food nutritionists, vets, veterinary nurses and a pet physiotherapist.

"Our members can ask all sorts of questions if they need help."

To send a request to join the group, search 'Lily The Lab & Friends' on Facebook.