A NEW campaign to combat dog fouling in Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge is set to be launched later this month.

The Dog Fouling Awareness Campaign will run from week commencing Monday, June 24, and is the first of the quarterly campaigns which were agreed upon following work by the town council undertaken in March.

Volunteers are wanted to help, and will be required to undertake surveys and stencil to help highlight areas of high offence, but the town council emphasised no volunteer will be required to 'pick up any dog poo.'

A spokesperson for Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge Town Council said: "We are eager to highlight that dog fouling is a human problem and want to see dog owners take responsibility by picking up after their dogs and reducing the amount of dog mess being left in public spaces.

"Dog fouling whether loose or bagged is a potential health hazard.

"It is a widespread problem, but sometimes changing the behaviour of just a few thoughtless dog owners can make a big difference.

"Volunteers must be able to attend the pre-briefing on the Thursday, June 20 at 6pm held at The Old Courthouse, Jaycroft Road, Burnham-on-Sea, TA8 1LE.

"If you would like to volunteer, please register for inclusion in our organised surveys.  All equipment and Hi-Viz tabards will be provided by the Town Council.

"To register as a volunteer or tell us about an area which has a particular problem please email: info@burnham-highbridge-tc.gov.uk."

The news comes following a successful campaign also run by the town council which took place at the end of March, earlier this year.

The five day campaign in which town rangers and volunteers counted and listed any bagged and un-bagged dog poo left on the streets began on Monday, March 25.

The Esplanade was found to be Burnham and Highbridge's dog poo hotspot, with a total of 92 un-bagged dog poos counted over just five days, and a further four which had been bagged but not disposed of.

Tyler Way in Highbridge ranked second with 19 un-bagged over the campaign period, followed by Jubilee Street (16), Ashley Avenue (15), and Westfield Cemetery alley (14).

A spokesperson for the campaign said: "The results of the surveys have shown that there are repeat offenders.

"There will be a number of posters displaying a watching eye image at the dog fouling hotspots to try and combat the issue."

As a result of the findings, it was agreed that the campaign would run quarterly for the foreseeable future.