DOG-owners letting their prized pooches poop in an East Lancashire borough were today warned: You've been framed!

Ribble Valley Borough Council has bought a mobile CCTV camera which will be used to catch dirty dogs being allowed to foul the streets of the green and pleasant borough.

Their owners will then by hit with a £25 on-the-spot fine, which could rise to £1,000 if it isn't paid quickly.

The surveillance equipment has been developed in partnership with a local firm, Westell Electronics in Barrow, and is believed to be the first of its kind to be especially made for monitoring the actions of dog foulers.

James Russell, Ribble Valley's environmental health manager, warned today that the camera could be hidden anywhere. He said: "The camera is very, very small, so it can easily be hidden in a parked vehicle or in a house near to where we know there is a problem with dog fouling.

"The camera will record activity in the area and we will be able to either identify offenders or work out what times to actually have staff in the area to catch people red-handed.

"We understand that the vast majority of dog owners do act responsibly and clean up after their dogs.

"It is unfortunate that we have to introduce these measures to encourage a small, but persistent minority, to be considerate of their role in helping maintain a clean environment for the use and enjoyment of everyone." Under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, the immediate non-removal of dog fouling from designated areas is a direct offence.

The camera footage will be studied by officers before they decided what action to take. Possible action includes staking out a spot at a time when people are known to let their dogs foul.

Mr Russell added those rules apply even when the dog is on its own.

He added: "These measures reflect another considerable step forward in the battle against dog fouling and the council's ongoing commitment to reduce offences.

"We believe this scheme is one of the first in the country, and the equipment has been designed especially for us.

"It may seem drastic action for us, but for the people who are having to go out and clean up the pavements in front of their homes, it is an issue which upsets them a great deal.

"Hopefully, we will be able to sort out the problem so that the minority do not continue to cause distress for the majority."