PLAYING fields and pathways could soon be cleaned-up due to an advertising deal between Rossendale Council and a pet care company.

Extra dog dirt bins are expected to be provided across Rossendale with the £1,000-plus that the company will pay to advertise its products on the area's existing 106 receptacles.

Public health fears centre on possible blindness and stomach aches that can result from coming into contact with the dirt.

Dave East, Rossendale Council dog warden, said: "We are determined to stop illegal dog-fouling and increased fines from £25 to £50 in April.

"The answer is continued education of owners and provision of more bins. We simply put an A4-sized poster on each bin and will then invest the proceeds into buying more bins."

Workers cutting playing fields elsewhere in the country, he added, had complained of stomach ache after their lawnmowers had sent dog dirt flying.