DOGS are to be banned from roaming free in an art gallery rose garden and on four sport pitches in a borough.

The extension of existing controls is included in a review of the order restricting where the pets can be on and off leads by Hyndburn Council's cabinet.

It's meeting on Wednesday will replace existing restrictions with a new Public Space Protection Order following changes in legislation.

Senior councillors will be asked to add The Rose Garden at Haworth Art Gallery in Baxenden and four council sports pitches to the areas where pet owners must keep their dogs on lead.

Already special orders have banned dogs altogether from Hyndburn Council-owned children’s play facilities, multi-use games areas, skate parks and bowling greens.

They also require that dogs are kept on leads in Hyndburn’s main townships, the borough’s cemeteries and within the grounds of Churchfield House in Great Harwood.

The new PSPO will renew the requirement for the owner or person in charge of a dog having to clear up if the animal fouls on any open land in borough.

The cabinet is also asked to set the on-the-spot fine for contravening the rules at £80 with no discount for early payment.

An officer's report to the meeting says: "Nominated sports pitches and the rose garden in Haworth Park have been added to the areas covered by the proposed PSPO.

"This is because there have been complaints from users about dog fouling on sports pitches where children and adults are going to participate in football or rugby, caused by dogs not being on leads and the owners not knowing the dog has fouled.

"The Rose Garden in Haworth Park is used for weddings and art events there have been complaints about dogs off leads running around disrupting activities and fouling which has created an unpleasant environment for such activities."

The sports pitches affected are Bullough Park Playing Fields, Accrington; Foxhill and Whiteash Playing Fields, Oswaldtwistle; Memorial Park Playing Fields, Great Harwood; and Norden Valley Playing Fields, Rishton

Hyndburn Council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson said: "Dog fouling is a big issue for residents."

Cllr Marlene Haworth said: "I am fully in support of these restrictions."