An organisation fighting dog fouling has adopted a constitution to attract more funding.

Cross Hills, Glusburn & Sutton Dog Fouling Focus Group was set up after a number of dogs were poisoned in Cross Hills two years ago.

It is seeking up to £1,000 in a grant from Craven Council.

The group had been about to submit a bid for up to £3,000 from Craven Council’s localism fund but was left disappointed after the council brought the closing date of January 31 forward by eight days.

It was only when the group submitted its application on January 28 that it was made aware it had missed the deadline.

Founder Jill Hirst said: “It has been a very frustrating time. I think the council could have done more to communicate with us.

“We are now hoping to get something out of the council’s community fund but the maximum is only £1,000.”

Mrs Hirst said she was also unhappy with comments by council leader Chris Knowles-Fitton in an e-mail to Sutton councillor Phillip Barrett.

He remarked that he believed the group was spurred on just because it could be featured in a BBC documentary.

Mrs Hirst added: “That comment made my blood boil. It was infuriating. We have been working incredibly hard since last September and before that for 18 months.

“We did slacken off a bit because we were struggling to get funding but our resolve has nothing to do with the BBC.”

Coun Knowes-Fitton said his remarks followed information he had received from a council officer.

He said: “I’m sorry for the mistake. Our biggest weakness was in closing the bids before the official date. It shoud have been closed on the official date and the money administered.”

A Craven Council spokesman said: “Unfortunately the group submitted a bid to the Localism Fund after all the funding for this financial year had been allocated at the January 15 community grants sub-committee.

“However, because the application was received before the closing date of January 31, 2013, the council has arranged for their application to be considered for a grant at the next community grants sub-committee meeting on March 25.

“If the project meets funding criteria, members can then take a decision as to how to fund the project.”

The group’s major project is to fund 15 steel dog-waste bag dispensers, five in each of the villages.

It has also signed up to the Green Dog Walkers Scheme in which people pledge to be responsible dog owners.