DOG walkers are being rewarded with football tickets if the council catches them picking up their pets mess.

The Co-operate Enforcement Unit want to give those doing their bit a pat on the back, instead of just handing out penalties

The council’s litter bosses are working with Kilmarnock Football Club to give out tickets to games in the hopes it will reduce the amount of dog fouling - and insist they have already seen progress.

This is just one project in their list of initiatives to bust litter bugs which also includes working with Traffic Scotland.

The team are looking to clean up roadside litter on massive trunk roads in the area to keep the community tidy.

They will be looking to reward ‘eco champions’ in the area who are doing their bit to keep East Ayrshire tidy.

They said: “We want to embark on a pilot project of litter from vehicles on the main road from Mauchline to New Cumnock which is pretty large scale and one of the few schemes in Scotland.

“We also have a community champion reward scheme with Kilmarnock Football Club.

“We will look for people promoting or being active in doing environmental work or campaigning in their community and give them two adult and two children family tickets for home matches, for being environmental champions.

“We are also hoping to do a large scale fly tipping action plan with Police and other agencies where we will be doing all sorts to detect and deter fly tipping in Cumnock area.

“Officers recently gave out their first of their environmental champion rewards.

“Well done to Annette on being the first recipient of this reward and thank you for helping to keep your community safe, clean, green and vibrant.

“ Corporate Enforcement Officers will continue to issue fines where dog foul and litter is being left in our communities.”