LEDBURY people could soon be involved with the "We're Watching You" campaign, launched by Keep Britain Tidy this week, in a crack down on dog fouling.

And if eyes are watching dog owners closely, they are sure to be looking at the cricket pitch sports ground too, off New Street, where a Ledbury Colts football match had to be delayed last Saturday, while players cleared away dog mess.

The problem was reported on the Voice of Ledbury social media site by Terry Fleetwood, secretary of the Ledbury Town Football Club, of which the Colts are a part.

Mr Fleetwood was critical of the "inconsiderate lazy dog owners" and warned that the club would be watching out for dog fouling in the future, and reporting the offending owners.

His indignation was shared by town councillor, Richard Hadley, who recently co-organised the "Business Week" campaign, to clear up dog mess on the Recreation Ground and along Line Bank.

Cllr Hadley said of the cricket ground incident: "It is absolutely disgusting. I cannot imagine the mentality of anyone who lets their dog roam on open space, let alone a sports pitch, - allows their dog to do its business and then walks off. It beggars belief."

Cllr Hadley added: "The only way we will get on top of this is if we start prosecuting, and we need chapter and verse, - when it happened and the person involved. The owners are to blame. The dogs are innocent in this matter.

"Dog fouling is against the law and there can be a £1000 fine; but some people will allow their dogs to foul, if they think they can get away with it."

Cllr Hadley stressed it was his belief that dog owners who let their dogs foul were in the minority in Ledbury.

National research shows that dog owners are more likely to let their pets foul, without cleaning it up afterwards, after dark and in the winter months, when days are short.

This is why the "We're Watching You" campaign is issuing luminous stickers and posters, - to shame dog owners that usually do not clean up after their pets to think again.

Cllr Hadley now plans to contact Keep Britain Tidy, to discover how the Ledbury community can get best involved with the national "We're Watching You" campaign.