A DOG who has picked up over 4,000 pieces of litter has been officially recognised by The Mayor of Worcester.

Nine-year-old ‘cockerpoo’ Daisy is the first animal in the city to have received a certificate and medal from the mayor.

Daisy was led down the red carpet in the Guildhall Parlour, before being formally introduced to the Mayor.

Cllr Jabba Riaz, who became Worcester’s mayor last month said: “I felt it was important to recognise the great work which Daisy has done to keep this city clean.

“I hope this is a lesson to all those who drop litter and that it will encourage people to do the right thing and pick it up. Maybe Daisy will also inspire a new generation of pets to help keep the city clean too.”

Daisy has lived with Judy Owen in Worcester since she was a puppy. They often go for walks along Diglis canal, where Daisy keenly hunts out pieces of rubbish.

Mrs Owen says: “She goes to enormous lengths to pick up pieces of litter – she won’t go home until she has found one. She rummages in bushes and hunts behind trees. She has picked up over 4,000 now.”

In April the Worcester News went for a walk with Daisy and Mrs Owen to see Daisy at work.

The visit took in the canal near Spring Lane, Worcester, where there was an abundance of rubbish lining the pavement.

Daisy found an empty beer can stuck behind a tree and battled for several minutes before managing to retrieve it and carry back to Mrs Owen’s house.

Mrs Owen said: “All these ‘goodies’ are taken home and planted firmly on the front garden where I discretely move them to the green bin when she is sleeping,”

She added: “She doesn’t like me getting rid of them.”

Mrs Owen, owns a fashion boutique called ‘You’ in Friar Street, Worcester, and says customers love Daisy.

She added: “She sits around and greets them as they come in.”