NEW dog bins are being installed across Stockton to clamp down on fouling.

The measures follow legislation last year which targeted dog owners with on-the-spot fines of £35 if they did not clean up after their pets.

Stockton Borough Council has launched a Pick Up or Pay Up campaign, as part of the Care for Your Area initiative, to raise awareness of the scale of the problem of dog fouling.

The purpose-built bins are being installed across the area, with 7,500 dog fouling signs.

Work has already started and all the bins are expected to be installed by the middle of next month, while the sign programme will be completed within a year.

From April 8, dog owners will also be able to get free scented poop scoop bags from most council offices.

Mark Berry, the council's environmental health officer, said: "The bins, signs and free bags mean there is no excuse for dog owners not to pick up after their pets."

Officers from the council will also continue to patrol known dog fouling hot spots and members of the public can ring, in confidence, with information on (01642) 391163.