A BAN on letting dogs off the lead in an art gallery rose garden and on four sports pitches in a borough has been confirmed by senior councillors.

The extension of existing controls is included in a new order restricting where the pets can be on and off leads in Hyndburn.

The council’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).

It added 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 a lead.

Dogs are already banned altogether from Hyndburn Council-owned children’s play facilities, multi-use games areas, skate parks and bowling greens.

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

The new order also confirmed dogs should be on leads in Hyndburn’s main townships, the borough’s cemeteries and within the grounds of Churchfield House, Great Harwood.

The PSPO renews the requirement for the owner or person in charge of a dog to clear up if the animal fouls on open land.

Conservative group leader Cllr Marlene Haworth backed the new order and said she had been horrified on a recent visit to the Haworth Art Galley to see three dog owners letting their pets off leads in the grounds.

The council's environment boss Cllr Paul Cox said the order was needed to tackle the menace of dog fouling which was why there was no discount for early payment of the on-the-spot fine for contravening the rules.

He added: "Dog owners are creatures of habit and walk their pets in the same places,

"If any residents see animals breaking the rules or fouling these areas they should report it to the council."