A "zero tolerance" campaign against dirty dog owners has been launched in an East Lancashire borough.

Almost three years after Hyndburn Council first employed dog warden Steve Wood, residents have been warned that if they let their dog foul they will be fined -- and that cameras will be watching them.

But Mr Wood, who is contracted to the council by Euro Canine, a animal welfare firm, today warned that people need to support him if the borough's dog dirt problem is going to get better.

Up until now, dog owners spotted letting their dogs use parks and public highways as toilets were given the chance to remove the mess.

Now, however, fixed penalty fines of £25 will be slapped on owners caught letting their dogs foul in public places.

Mr Wood said: "We deal with about five complaints a day from people saying dogs are fouling in an area.

"When we see people letting their dogs foul, we approach them and normally they claim they have left the poop-scoop bag at home and will pick it up later.

"Experience has shown that this isn't the case.

"From now on, our policy is to fine anyone who is seen letting their dog foul."

"Letting it off the lead and then not seeing it is no excuse, people have to take responsibility for their dog."

People fed up of dogs fouling outside their homes are also being encouraged to stick up posters, paid for by the council, warning people about the fines.

Mr Wood added: "If people want us to really get to the root of the problem, then we need their help. We can only put posters up on our property.

"People also need to be prepared to give evidence against people. We can't just go around issuing notices without evidence.

"If people refuse to pay, it could go to court.

"Then we need people to say they witnessed it.

"In the three years I have been here, just one person has been prepared to give evidence. Unless we have the public's support, the problem is not going to get any better.

"We can only be in so many places at once."

The council is also using a state-of-the-art night vision lens to catch people who let their dogs foul under the cover of darkness.

In the Ribble Valley, a mobile CCTV camera is used in hot-spots to catch offenders.