DOGS who use streets of the Ribble Valley as their toilet are at the centre of a tough council crackdown with their irresponsible owners in line for hefty fines.

Dog enforcement officers have launched a round-the-clock CCTV vigil at a beauty spot in a bid to catch dog owners who allow their pets to foul in public.

They will maintain a high profile presence in the vicinity of Whalley Arches over the coming months in an attempt to catch irresponsible pet owners who are turning the picturesque spot into a "dog loo".

Ribble Valley Council has been inundated with complaints from concerned parents, whose youngsters attend nearby Whalley CE Primary School.

Dog enforcement officer for the Council Adele Scott said: "The actions of these dog owners are unbelievable.

"They are allowing their pets to foul in a lane outside a primary school.

"Littering parks, pavements and public spaces with dog mess is a problem that Ribble Valley Council is determined to tackle.

"We mean business and are sending a stark warning to those pet owners who are responsible - clean up or else.

"There are people that are responsible with their dogs and I thank them but we have offenders coming out late at night and that's hard for us because we don't work 24 hours."

To combat those letting their dogs foul either late at night or in the early in the day, Adele and her team will be conducting CCTV surveillance in affected areas.

Ribble Valley councillor and Whalley resident Joyce Holgate said: "I think that dog fouling is a problem all over the Ribble Valley.

"The way of thinking is to try and publicise the problem and make people aware of it."

The Council launched a zero tolerance campaign against dog fouling last year after Willows Park Lane, Longridge, which was dubbed the dirtiest footpath in Lancashire.

The Dog Fouling of Land Act 1996 requires dog owners to pick up their pet's mess, with fines for offenders that could reach £75 on the spot or up to £1,000 if they are taken to court.

If you have any information about residents letting their dogs foul on the streets contact the dog warden service on 01200 425111.