COUNCIL officials in Hartlepool are trying to stop their town from going to the dogs by stepping up their efforts to keep public areas free of fouling by dogs.

Six special structures incorporating a biodegradable poop-scoop dispenser and a dog dirt bin - known as Dog Stops - have been purchased by the authority.

Four are located on the seafront at Seaton Carew, while the others are to be placed along the promenade at the Headland.

The initiative has cost about £2,000, and that has been funded by the council's South Neighbourhood Consultative Forum.

Craig Thelwell, Hartlepool Council's environmental action manager, said: "Dog owners have never had an excuse for failing to remove any mess left by their pets, but these new Dog Stops now make it easier than ever to clean up.

"We also want owners to be in no doubt that, if they fail to carry out their responsibilities, we will hit them in the pocket by issuing £50 fixed penalty notices."

Over the past 12 months, about 140 fines have been issued to dog owners - about half of them at Seaton Carew.

The introduction of the Dog Stops comes just days ahead of the council's annual beach dog ban, which runs from Sunday until Friday, September 30.

The ban is along the beach at Seaton - between the Northumbrian Water pumping station and the steps just north of the old North Shelter - and the Fish Sands and Block Sands on the Headland.