A SERIES of public meetings are to be held this month in an effort to rid the district of animal nuisances.

Wear Valley District Council wants to hear residents' views about specific problems relating to stray dogs, dog fouling, stray horses and illegal grazing on council land, and pest and vermin control.

The meetings are part of a review by the council's overview and scrutiny committee to tackle issues and complaints from individual neighbourhoods.

The review follows the launch of a crackdown on dog owners who do not clean up after their pets, with wardens issuing £50 fixed penalty tickets which could lead to prosecution and a £1,000 fine if not paid within two weeks.

Last summer, the authority also brought in extra dog waste bins and gave away 1,000 poop scoops to help to address the problem.

The issue of stray horses has plagued communities in the district, with the animals wandering on to busy roads, causing accidents and ruining village greens.

A member of staff from the environmental health team at the district council will attend each meeting to answer any technical questions that people may have.

They will be held on the following dates: Monday, February 17, at 6pm, in the council chamber at Crook Civic Centre; Wednesday, February 19, at 6pm, in Bishop Auckland Town Hall; and Thursday, February 27, at 6pm, in Stanhope Town Hall.