Two early-morning walkers have been fined and one reported to the Police as a West Cumbria council battles the problem of dog fouling on local streets.

The two were apprehended by Allerdale council officers in Maryport.

One fixed penalty notice was issued at 8.24am on Sunday on the green at Strand Street where a Jack Russell terrier was let out by its owner to foul the grass where local children play football.

The second incident happened at 9.15am on Monday in nearby Woods Harbour.

In this instance a man was been reported to the police after becoming aggressive with the female council officer who issued a fixed penalty notice.

Charles Holmes, Allerdale's head of community services, said “The fact both these incidents were spotted by our officers early in the morning, and that one of them was on a Sunday, shows how serious our teams take dog fouling.

“Failing to pick up after your dog in a public place is not only disgusting, it is illegal. To allow your pet to foul in green spaces where you know children play is doubly offensive. How would you feel if it was you or your child who fell in that mess? "

He also warned that the council would never tolerate acts of aggression towards staff.

" I would like to thank Cumbria Police and other Allerdale officers for responding quickly and robustly to this upsetting incident on Monday. We will not hesitate to report people to the police if threats are made.”