HYNDBURN Council is to fence off a children's play area - at a cost of £10,000 - as part of a clampdown on dog fouling.

The dog-free zone around children's play equipment in Cut Wood Park, Rishton, is a bid to reduce health risks.

The scheme follows a report which found that 27 per cent of people quizzed thought litter and dog fouling to be of most concern in recreation areas.

Since the survey, the council has passed a by-law to ensure dog owners use free Poopa Scoops, available from all council offices, and the new dog waste bins in the borough's parks and recreation grounds.

Cut Wood is the seventh park in the borough to have a fenced-in play area. Councillor Ian Ormerod, leisure services committee chairman, said: "When we spend money on upgrading playgrounds, we try to make them completely dog free.

"We are obviously concerned that there is no health risk for children using theses sites." He added: "Having a fence around the play area also helps reduce vandalism because it is physically more difficult to get into the site.

"Open playgrounds tend to be more vulnerable and when you're spending so much on refurbishing sites they have to be carefully maintained."

Back Lane playground, in Baxenden, is to be refurbished to the tune of £30,000. The cash will be spent on new play equipment, resurfacing, litter bins, seating, improved access and turning the site into a dog-free area.

Coun Ormerod said: "This site was a priority because it would have closed, leaving a large residential area without a play area. Youngsters would have had to cross a road to get to other parks."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.