A PARTNERSHIP has been set up to try to clear up the canal towpath after complaints about the amount of dog mess.

British Waterways and Craven District Council will be working together to install more dog bins to encourage dog owners to clear up after their pets.

British Waterways has bought four bins, to add to the two already there, and the council has agreed to empty them frequently.

Lynne Hamilton, acting manager at British Waterways, said: "We are well aware that the mess is pretty terrible."

She added that Craven's dog warden and the enforcement officer would also be working to clean up the area.

A regular visitor to Skipton told the Herald that she would not be returning to the town in the near future because of the amount of dog mess on part of the canal towpath.

Barbara Jagger, of Hunslet, Leeds, said a recent trip with her six-year-old grandson was ruined by inconsiderate dog owners allowing their dogs to foul in public places.

"People of Skipton, you are disgusting, it is dreadful. We live in inner city Leeds and we might have dust and litter but it is not a problem like this."

Mrs Jagger said they had walked along the towpath from Bizzie Lizzies past the bus station.

"It was absolutely disgusting, a health hazard. Let alone children, adults could not avoid standing in the dog mess. We all got dog mess on our shoes. You could not help it," she added.

Until the situation improved, she said she would not be bringing her grandson back to Skipton.

"It is a shame because we really love the town and its surroundings. It suits us down to the ground. We have recommended Skipton to other people. But this really spoilt the day," she said.