IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners visiting a North-East park risk having their pets' faeces marked with fluorescent paint.

The procedure, in which countryside wardens will spray fluorescent paint on faeces at the park, is an attempt to shame owners who fail to clean up after their dogs.

Any dog dirt left near the visitor centre at Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park, just off the A171 Guisborough to Nunthorpe road, in Teesside, will be subjected to the paint.

The move, which will last for a week, follows a similar successful campaign at Guisborough Forest and Walkway, at Pinchinthorpe, near Guisborough, and comes as part of a Dog Week at the park.

Helen Taylor, a countryside ranger for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said the dog dirt could expose children to the toxocara roundworm infection.

She said: "This year, we have had 940 children on organised visits, plus children with their families, so that is thousands of small feet that have potentially been exposed to dog mess and the toxocara infection.

"We do approach owners if they have not used a scoop. Some pick it up, but I am afraid others are not interested.

"You only need one irresponsible owner who takes his dog for a walk two or three times a day to get an awful mess.

"But we are only talking about a minority. The majority are very good."

The park has three dog bins, a dog toilet area and free bags to help people clean up.

* There are two main events at the park this month.

On Sunday, September 26, the park will hold its annual dog show, from 1pm to 4pm, with competitions and an agility course.

On September 30, from 7pm to 9pm, Josephine Lee will discuss dog listening - non-verbal communication between owner and dog. Admission is £1. To attend, call (01642) 459629.