PATROLS to catch litterbugs and dog owners who fail to pick up their pets' pooh have been suspended by a borough because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision to stop the enforcement of the rules emerged at a meeting of Hyndburn Council's Cabinet yesterday.

Normally people found littering or failing to pick up after their dog are handed a £75 on the spot fine.

But in March the council's environment boss Cllr Paul Cox too the decision to suspend the patrols by LA Support Service as the Covid-19 pandemic started.

His decision emerged as the Cabinet confirmed his ruling and agreed to continue the contract with the company under revised terms so its enforcement work could resume when the infection outbreak is over.

The senior councillors approved the extension due to 'exceptional circumstances' and to the redeployment of LA Support staff t o other duties where necessary.

The report to Cabinet said: "The council’s current position is that it does not wish to see any litter or dog fouling enforcement work at present and this work would only recommence when the executive director environment agrees."

A council spokeswoman said: "This work is still suspended since it stopped in March and there are no plans at present to recommence this, although this will be regularly reviewed.

"We are looking at how best to provide other advice and enforcement around Covid safety and this is our primary focus at this stage."

Hyndburn Council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson said: "This was about the safety of working practices and staff because of coronavirus."