IRRESPONSIBLE dog owners are causing a real pain in Woolston.

The persistent problem of owners who allow their pets to foul the pavements in and around Hall Road has once again reared its ugly head.

In the past, the problem has been so great that council workers have had to be called to the area to clear away the mess.

Now, according to residents and parents whose children attend Woolston Community Primary School, the irresponsible owners are back out in force with their pets.

Despite signs in the area making dogs owners aware that there is a penalty for those that allow their pets to foul without cleaning it up, the problem persists.

Dog owner Paula Garrett, who lives in the area, is furious at the scale of the problem. She said: "Actions like this give all dog owners a bad name but I want to say we are not all like that. This is just a blatant disregard for everyone else.

"Every day I see children walking in it on their way to school and traipsing it in with them. It's an ongoing issue and it really shouldn't be. Most people clean it up but it's a minority that give us all a bad reputation."

Judith Elshaw, head teacher of Woolston Community Primary School on Hall Road, said: "We have nothing against dogs or their owners, we only ask that they act responsibly and clean up their dog's mess. It can be a real nuisance from time to time, not only for the school, but for parents and families who have to wheel their buggies and prams through it and then swill it off before they go home. It's not the first time we've had to ask the council to come and clear it from the pavements."