DOG owners who allow their pets to foul a cricket ground are being caught on film in a surveillance operation which could lead to them facing heavy fines.

Committee members of Guiseley Cricket Club are holding regular stakeouts of the ground with equipment supplied by Leeds City Council. Hidden cameras are rolling for more than 18 hours a day in a bid to incriminate those who do not clean up after their dog and bring offenders to book.

Parry Brooksbank, a committee member, who is leading the undercover operation in co-operation with a city council dog warden, said: "We have plans to video and photograph people from hidden locations and then send the footage to the council in the hope that they will be prosecuted.

"We are giving the council the full use of our facilities for their surveillance."

Mr Brooksbank, of Harrogate Road, Yeadon, has placed his own signs around the ground asking owners to pick up dog-dirt but says these and stickers on bins provided by the city council are being ignored.

He said: "People come in their cars to walk their dogs, let them foul and don't pick it up. They wouldn't let their dogs do it on their own lawns and not pick it up so why should they do it on mine.

"We just want to get the message to the public that we need their help. We are prepared to stand as witnesses in court."

Mr Brooksbank is concerned for the safety of the youngsters who regularly use the ground. He said: "We have got to look after their safety. There is a worm in dog-dirt which can lead to blindness."

According to legislation passed in 1996 authorities can designate areas where it is an offence to allow a dog to foul without cleaning it up - and offenders can face fines of up to £100.

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: "It is the responsibility of dog owners to clean up after their pets and allowing dogs to foul our open spaces is a public nuisance which will not be tolerated. If people persist with this anti-social behaviour we can and do prosecute and fines of between £25 and £100 have been imposed by the courts."

Anyone with information about incidents of dog fouling in public areas is urged to contact the Animal Welfare team on 0113 247 5964.

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