Thousands of bright pink poo bags will be given to dog owners in a bid to keep streets clean.

Brighton and Hove City Council, which spends £100,000 a year clearing up dog mess, has bought 150,000 of the small plastic bags as part of a drive to remind dog owners how simple it is to clear up after their pets and how costly it can be to flout the rules.

The council said the bags, which cost a total of £1,000, would last several years and, if they succeeded in encouraging people to clear up after their dogs, would save taxpayers much more money in the long run.

Roy Pickard, head of the council's animal welfare team, said: "The normal bags are green or grey and we thought brightly coloured ones would be a little bit different and get the message across to owners to pick up after their dogs."

Animal welfare officer Sue Watson described them as "wonderful bright pink poo bags" and said: "The colour makes them a bit more interesting.

"We want people to comply with the law so everybody can enjoy all open spaces throughout the city.

"Dog mess can be a health hazard but if people are responsible with their dogs it should not be a problem."

The council will launch its campaign with a demonstration day in the car park of Asda's Hollingbury store in Brighton on September 6.

The biodegradable bags, which bear the council's logo, will be given out free of charge and animal welfare officers will teach dog owners how to scoop their pets' poop with ease.

Cityclean, the council's refuse team, estimates the cost of removing dog dirt from the city's streets and parks is at least £100,000 per year.

This includes the time it takes staff to deal with the offending mess.

Failing to clean up dog mess on council land is illegal under the Dogs Fouling of Land Act 1996.

The council has taken a handful of people to court, most recently last year.

Those caught can be fined up to £1,000 or given a fixed penalty notice of £50.

But catching owners is notoriously difficult and, in many cases, the council ends up having to do the job itself.

To help people clean up after their pets, the council provides bins so dog mess can be disposed of hygienically. But many owners choose to walk off rather than doing the responsible thing.

Some of the worst areas for dog mess are around schools in Queen's Park, Brighton, where the council has received several complaints.

Anyone who wants to report dog fouling can contact the council's animal welfare team on 01273 292400 or 292406.