ORGANISERS of a town's bid for blooming glory are determined their efforts will not be undermined by the effects of dog urine.

It is feared some metal lampposts in Saltburn, east Cleveland, may be too unstable to support floral baskets - having been weakened by the acidic effects of dogs cocking their legs.

Resident Jackie Taylor is taking no chances after last summer's attempt to kill off the town's Britain in Bloom efforts.

Last year, a mystery poisoner slipped weedkiller into a contractor's water tank, which was then used to spray flower displays.

Now Ms Taylor, co-ordinator of Saltburn in Bloom, fears the cumulative effects of years of dog urine may have left 20 lampposts potentially unstable and has drawn the possibility to the attention of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

Chris Villiers, of Roch Services, which is to test the posts' stability on behalf of the council, said: "Dog urine is a really serious problem. Lampposts often become unstable in a dog-walking area."

A spokesman for the council, who said it had committed £500 towards the testing, said: "The single reason we are testing the columns is to see if they are strong enough to stand the extra weight of a hanging basket."

Judges from Northumbria in Bloom yesterday toured the town.

Ms Taylor said: "Hopefully, we will be able to put the baskets up as normal for the summer judging."