HARTLEPOOL is about to under-go a spring clean with a blitz on dog fouling as one of its priorities.

Spring Clean Hartlepool, which is part of the council's Pride in Hartlepool campaign, is running throughout this month and next month.

It aims to raise awareness of issues that adversely affect the local environment and encourage residents to organise their own small-scale improvement projects.

Helen Beaman, environment co-ordinator for Hartlepool Borough Council, said: "I would urge as many people as possible to demonstrate their pride in Hartlepool, even if they only give up an hour or two of their time and organise, for example, a neighbourhood litter pick.

"In previous years, we have had a great response from people wanting to get involved, and I'm sure that will be the case again this year."

Council staff will be working closely with local schools to develop anti-dog fouling posters, which will be displayed in places such as the North Cemetery and on the Hart-to-Haswell walkway.

Events are also to be staged to highlight the proposed introduction of dog control orders, new powers introduced as part the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, which will replace existing dog byelaws and enable the council to respond in a more co-ordinated and effective way to the problems caused by dogs.

There will also be dog micro-chipping sessions, a display in the Middleton Grange shopping centre on Wednesday, May 9, and a photographic competition called "A Favourite Image of Hartlepool".

For more details, call Helen Beaman on 01429-523587 or Keeley Metcalfe, the council's community environmental action officer, on 01429-284172.