NEYLAND town council has come up with a bright idea to highlight dog fouling in the town.

Equipped with cans of bright orange spray paint, councillors are now pounding the pavements, ready to spray offending mess.

The plan is to ‘shame’ careless dog owners into clearing up after their pets.

The water-soluble paint fades after a few days, meaning it can be used on grass or pavements.

Mayor of Neyland, Cllr Simon Hancock, said the aim was to make dog owners aware that leaving mess on the streets is not acceptable.

“Dog fouling is one of the most antisocial behaviours,” said Cllr Hancock.

“Think of all the diseases in it, it’s such a disgusting thing, and it’s dangerous for small children too

“There’s been so much education about it, there’s no excuse anymore.”

Last year the town council paid for a multi-purpose facility in Wood Lane where people can put dog waste and ordinary litter.

But despite this, local resident Gill Smith said people had continued to leave dog poo in the street

“It’s been a problem for a long time, especially the lane behind Lawrenny Street," she said.

“It’s horrible. Bag it and bit it, or take it home. If you don’t like cleaning up after your dog, don’t buy one!”

Cllr Dennis Stolliday said: “Most people do pick it up but it’s the ones we don’t we want to highlight.”

Since starting the spray-campaign a week ago, Cllr Stolliday said the area around Lawrenny and Sportsway seemed to have improved.

“I think it works because they know people are aware of it and it’s being monitored,” he said.

Cllr Hancock is also asking local residents to support the council’s work, by tipping them off to regular offenders.

“What we need is people who are aware of the culprits to come forward and let us know,” he said.