WYCHAVON residents are being urged to blow the whistle on dog -owners who refuse to clear up their pet's faeces.

The district council's environmental health section is stepping up its campaign to target irresponsible culprits and wants local people to tip them off.

Environmental protection manager Melanie Bloyce-Ellis said they could not stress too strongly the need to clear parks, pavements and footpaths of dog faeces.

"There is a real danger to health especially for small children from the eggs of the roundworm toxocara canis," she said.

"If swallowed, these eggs hatch into larvae and burrow through the human gut and wander through the body damaging the liver, lungs and eyes and can even cause blindness.

"It is vital that irresponsible dog owners are caught so we are asking people to contact us. Calls will be taken in strict confidence."

Mrs Bloyce-Ellis said it would be better if people could tell them the name and address of the person, along with a description of the dog and a date, time and place of the offence.

"If fouling occurs at regular times it may be possible for a dog warden or an officer to witness the fouling and take action accordingly.

"People who allow their dogs to foul face fines of up to £1,000."

As part of it's Pick Up or Pay Up campaign, Wychavon council has produced a leaflet explaining the issue.

Chairman of the environment committee Don Lawley said it was a serious problem and the council was committed to tackling it.

"A handful of selfish people will not be allowed to ruin the pleasure that our parks bring to so many in our community," he said.

Leaflets are available from the Council's One Stop Shops in Droitwich, Evesham and Pershore.

To report a dog owner, or for more information, call 01386 565233.