ANGRY dog walkers said they resent being fined for failing to clean up after their dogs when the bin provided by the council is overflowing and inaccessible.

Residents in Catterick Village are fed up of seeing the dog waste bin on a popular walk full to the brim with bags and surrounded by nettles.

The bin is provided by Richmondshire District Council.

Pensioner Jean Williams was fined £50 when her dog fouled in the field. Despite having a plastic bag ready to pick up the mess, the dog warden gave her an on-the-spot fine.

"With four children and eight grandchildren, I know the dangers of dog mess," said Mrs Williams, of Noels Court.

"But if the council expects us to clean it up from an overgrown field then they should provide us with a working bin."

Local dog owner Ken Richardson, a former parish councillor, has complained on a number of occasions about the weeds and overflowing bin.

He said: "It really angers me that local people are being fined and yet the council is not cleaning up around its own facilities."

The district council has since investigated the site and said some changes need to be made.

Executive director Tony Clark said that while the bin was emptied every Friday, the problem is one of over use and the council would cosider emptying it on a more regular basis.

He said the nettles were a seasonal problem and the council would ensure they was cleared.

Chief executive Harry Tabiner has replied to the complaints and said that walkers in the field must abide by the law and clean up after their dogs.