KEEP Burnley Tidy Week began on Monday with 200 reminders of one of the town's worst cleanliness problems - dog dirt.

Park Rangers stuck 200 small flags in the ground at the entrance to Scott Park to mark where droppings had been that morning.

The message to dog owners was that dog dirt causes toxocara, the disease which can lead to blindness in children.

Rangers are attempting to ease the problem by handing out poop-scoops and leaflets at their stand, which is on alternately at Towneley Park and Scott Park all this week.

Chief Ranger Barry Lambert told the Citizen: "If children touch dog stools and then rub their eyes, they can, at worst, be blinded.

'We're not being alarmist, but we are asking to people to bear that in mind when they take their dog for a walk.

"It's also a matter of general cleanliness - dog droppings are not very pleasant for children playing on the grass."

Rangers have been pleased with the public response to their campaign so far. Barry added: "The stand has been very well received. We have had no adverse comments so far and we are really pleased."

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