DOG owners in Walton have been urged to clean up after their pets following major concerns over the state of the streets.

Complaints have been made over the amount of excrement littering the pavements.

Residents in North Road and Saville Road, near Walton Primary School, say it has become a particular problem for them.

And calls have been made for dog owners to take more responsibility.

Walton councillor John Halls said: “This has been a problem in the past and it has become particularly bad again.

“I have had people come in to the community project office to tell me about it.

“One young lady came in with her young children and said the mess is very bad near the school now.

“She confronted one woman whose dog made a mess on the pavement, and the woman said she never brought any bags out with her.

“Well that is not good enough. Dog owners need to take responsibility for their pets and clean up after them to keep our area looking nice.

“It is especially unpleasant near a primary school where children are running around. We have to put a stop to this.”