SPORT courts at a Brierfield park could be closed for winter because of persistent dog fouling.

Pendle Council is considering closing the courts at Heyhead Park and putting a notice in place because the courts are ‘currently unusable’ because of the amount of dog fouling.

But local councillors are keen to find an alternative solution to the problem.

Coun Naeem Ashraf said: “It’s not long ago the Brierfield and Reedley Committee allocated some money to do the courts up. It is a problem but I think we need to try to find another solution than closing the courts.

“There isn’t much for children to do in that area anyway and if we take this away we are going to have problems.

“I would rather see some CCTV put up or the courts closed early in the evening until the morning. I will be fighting to keep them open.”

A report to councillors on the Brierfield and Reedley Committee said: “The problem has been a feature on PCSO tasking meetings since July 2012.

“However despite a concerted effort by the PCSO’s, environmental crime team, dog wardens and park keepers the problem continues and if anything is getting worse.

“The courts were cleaned and closed for a period of two weeks in April 2013 and have been cleaned several times since both by parks and waste services staff.

“The games court is currently unusable for its intended purpose due to the amount of fouling present.

“In the circumstances it is intended to close the courts over the winter months and to put in place notices explaining why this has become necessary.

“It is hoped that the publicity surrounding this will help deter the fouling here and elsewhere.”