Dogs with carts help clean park

The dogs were equipped with specially-adapted carts

Dog walkers fed up at the amount of rubbish in a Leicester park have enlisted their pets to help them tidy it up.

Volunteers at Watermead Country Park were joined by 18 Newfoundland dogs pulling specially-adapted carts.

The dogs, who weigh about 80 kilograms each and have webbed feet, were also good at retrieving rubbish from the pond in the park.

Their owners hope the clean up will persuade others to keep the park tidy.

Barry Ingram, senior parks officer, Leicester City Council, said: "What happens is the dogs come along with the carts, we pick up the litter and drop it into the carts.

Making a mess

"They then take the carts back to the skip and we unload them."

Unfortunately, the dogs also make a mess of their own.

Peter Lewin, who brought his seven-year-old Newfoundland dog called Jake along, said: "With the slobbering they shake their heads and slobber goes everywhere.

"So, you've forever got a cloth wiping the slobber up."