THE issue of dog poo just won’t go away in Burnham-on-Sea as the chairman of the Highbridge Chamber of Trade revealed he has received complaints from residents over problems on the Esplanade.

Mike Murphy, chairman of the Highbridge Chamber of Trade, said he plans to set up a group who will spray paint around the excrement in an effort to encourage residents to clean up after their dogs.

“Dog poo if picked up by a child, handled and rubbed in the eyes can cause blindness,” said Mr Murphy.

“This irresponsibility has spread to pavements in Church Street and Market Street and beyond.

“Residents have told me they are reluctant to walk the streets at night in case they step in the dog mess.

“Following a complaint from our members we have decided to issue cans of pink chalk paint to members who have agreed to spray the offending faeces left on their pavements.”

Mike says he obtained information about the spray paint from Camden Borough Council who have been using it to highlight dog waste for some time with success.

“We plan to survey other parks and roads on behalf of our members,” he said.

“We hope this action will bring the problem to the attention of dog owners.”

This is not the first time dog mess has caused problems in the town.

In March 2016, Burnham and Highbridge’s Stert swim was cancelled in part due to dog poo pollution and in December 2016 five fixed penalty notices were issued to dog owners in Burnham-on-Sea.

Julian and Sonia Hellings, who live on the Esplanade, say the issue is still a problem.

“The dog mess every day on the Esplanade is horrendous, even though it is cleaned seven days a week,” said Julian.

“There is no respect for the public who have to avoid it or at worse step in it.

“It seems there is one dog warden who covers a vast area and we have never seen him and we walk our dog every day.

“Maybe the council could pay for another dog warden who could do on the spot fines.

“It’s no good having the signs and not enforcing them.

“Shift hours would be ideal so they can cover different places on the sea front all year round.

“Burnham is a lovely town and it is being spoilt.

“What on earth do visitors think when the walk along the Esplanade.”

Mike says the spray painting has already started on the streets he hopes this action will encourage owners to carry biodegradable plastic dog bags and put their dog waste in the bin.