A double campaign to stop irresponsible dog owners allowing their pets to foul footpaths has been launched in Deal and Walmer.

Protesters are convinced less people are sensibly disposing of the poo and posters are going up to get their messages across.

Haydn Powlter, a county council community warden, said: "Every day I have phone calls reporting fresh loads and the situation seems to be getting worse.

"There has very much been a sudden increase. Maybe it is the volume of dogs. There are responsible dog owners, but the mess is dangerous to the environment and not pleasant."

Mr Powlter said one particular blackspot is the alleyway between Walmer Science College and The Downs Primary, which runs from Salisbury Road to Downs Road, serving the two schools as well as the Blossom Children’s Centre and Brambles Nursery.

He added: "I don’t want to see anyone coming to physical harm from contact with the messes. I want to make Deal a more pleasant place.

District councillors are also campaigning for people to bag it, tie it, bin it, including Cllr Mike Eddy the ward representative for Mill Hill.

* For full story see the East Kent Mercury, February 23.