DISGRUNTLED pet lovers have vowed never to hold a dog show at Worcester's Pitchcroft racecourse again after complaining about the venue's "disgusting" condition.

More than 70 dogs went on show last Sunday when the Strays Re-Homing Fund held a contest - two days after the popular Abba night.

"It was atrocious," said organiser Keith Fraser, of Lower Broadheath.

"The toilets in the middle of Pitchcroft were disgusting and outside there were bottles, plastic beer mugs and betting slips."

His wife, Diana Fraser, said the Strays Re-Homing Fund had paid a £100 deposit to the city council.

"But I think the area looked better after we'd left than when we arrived," she said.

"It was the first time we'd used Pitchcroft for our dog show and we will never book it again."

Alan Stuttard, the council's head of cultural services, said parts of Pitchcroft were the responsibility of Lingfield-based Arena Leisure.

The company has struck a 99-year deal to manage the course, although Worcester City Council remains the landowner.

"However, people who want to book the venue do so through us," said Mr Stuttard. "We will look into these comments."

The regional manager for Arena Leisure, David Roberts, said it was the first he had heard of complaints from the Strays Re-Homing Fund.

"But we will investigate these allegations," he said.

"There is no excuse for the area to be untidy or dirty."