THE new chairman of Wincanton Sports Ground is spearheading a campaign to crack down on dog walkers who let their pets foul the Moor Lane football pitch.

The problem has got worse in recent months and the game between Wincanton Town and Wessex under 15s on November 14 had to be stopped for faeces to be removed from the pitch.

Stuart Matthews, a former director of sport at King Arthur's School, is on a mission in his new role to educate dog lovers on the dangers of fouling areas where children play.

He said: "I would like to see us working together with dog walkers so they can be educated in the dangers dog mess can create for children.

"We are never going to stop dog walking and don't want to because it is part of a healthy lifestyle. But we are imploring them to not let their animals foul the pitch.

"We are appealing for the community spirit to shine through and for the better nature of dog walkers to help us eliminate the problem."

Around 150 Wincanton Town players, including eight youth teams of six to 15-year-olds, use the playing fields .

Chairman Nick Hamblin said: "Something has to be done to stop people letting their dogs foul the playing area.

"The adults get a bucket and spade and remove the mess. We have to spend time before every game checking the pitch and it's not ideal preparation for a match."

Signs warning against dogs fouling the area have been targeted by vandals or stolen.

Several bins are at the ground to take dog waste.

Councillor David Norris, who sits on the open spaces and highways committee of Wincanton Town Council, said: "Unfortunately, a very small minority are causing this problem for everyone.

"There are some irresponsible dog owners who don't pick up after their pets and it is those people who need to be made aware of the dangers."