Powys residents have been asked to think twice before accepting goldfish as prizes.

Powys County Council have asked those who attend fairs, like the upcoming fair in Brecon on Monday, to consider whether they have the knowledge and facilities to ensure the animal’s welfare.

The council’s Trading Standards service also said the small fish should only be accepted if they can be taken home without delay.

It is an offence in Wales, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, for people under the age of 16 to receive an animal as prize unless they are accompanied by an adult.

Cllr James Evans, cabinet member for trading standards, said: “Animal ownership is a big responsibility that needs to be planned and well thought out – not a spur of the moment thing that happens just because someone has won a prize.

"I would urge anyone who attends a fun fair to think twice before accepting a goldfish as a prize. If they do accept it as a prize, you will have a duty of care to the animal under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and have to ensure that their needs are met.

"Anyone giving a goldfish as a prize to someone under the age of 16 that are not accompanied by an adult is committing an offence under the act."

Powys has asked that anyone who believes they have seen a young person, who is under the age of 16 and not accompanied by an adult, to report it to Powys Trading Standards on 01597 826032.

Brecon Town Council, who have met with Powys about goldfish as prizes, have previously looked into the issue after residents claimed they had seen dead fish floating in the bags at the town's fair in May.

While the Welsh Government introduced a licensing scheme for mobile animal exhibits, which covers circus animals, it does not cover animals like goldfish as prizes.

However there is currently a petition to the Welsh Assembly to push the Welsh Government to ban the animals as prizes.

The petition, set up in August by Barry-based pet shop worker Holly Homer, is open until midday on Wednesday, January 15 and currently has 450 signatures.

In its description, the petition says: “Goldfish are still being given away as prizes at funfairs all over the country, they are complex creatures that can live up to 25+ years and grow between 25-45cm.

“They are kept in poor conditions and given away to someone who won on an impulse and due to this they usually only last a couple of months. This in an archaic tradition that through recent education we’ve realised is unethical.”

The petition against goldfish as prizes can be found on the Welsh Assembly website by clicking here.