Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, helped judge the Mind Your Step poster competition at Perton Sandown First School, on March 22.
Students of Perton Sandown First School and Perton First School designed their own posters, warning members of the public about the penalties associated with dog fouling in Perton, for the competition.
Specsavers, which is sponsoring the project, is providing a prize for the winning artist and donating 25 high visibility vests for each school.
Gavin was a member of the judging panel, which met last week to determine the overall winner. Other members included the Chair of Perton Parish Council, Roy Moreton, the Head of Sandown First School, Elizabeth Threlkeld, the Head of Perton First School, Anne Bennett, a representative of Mind Your Step, Verity Matu, and a representative of Specsavers, Helen Matu.
Each school held a sub competition internally before presenting their final five entries to the panel.
On judging the competition, Gavin said: “It is really wonderful to see all the hard work that the children have put into this competition. All the posters that we received in the final judging stage were truly excellent and it was incredibly difficult to pick just one winner.
“Not picking up after your dog is not just an issue of aesthetics, but of public safety, with dog fouling known to create infection and blindness in children. I am glad to see that the children of Perton are not only aware of this danger, but are also highlighting its importance to some of the less responsible adults in the village.”
Gavin will award the prize to the winning student, next month. The winner’s poster will be put up in a series of locations around the village, following the ceremony.