RESIDENTS who are letting their dogs turn the grounds of a school into a toilet are being warned to mend their ways – or face prosecution.

A raft of new measures are being introduced in Pool-in-Wharfedale to tackle a long-running problem of dog fouling on Pool C of E Primary’s playing fields.

The issue has been plaguing the school, and other sports groups who use its pitch at the end of the playground, for years.

Councillor Barry Anderson (Con, Adel & Wharfedale) has now announced a multi-pronged action plan.

He said: “I am working with the dog warden, the school and the Parish Council to try to eliminate the incidences of dog fouling on the school playing fields.

“I have asked the dog warden to visit to try to catch the perpetrators." I have also ordered additional signage to be placed at Wharfe Crescent to try and reinforce the message and change people’s behaviour.

“New signage will also be placed outside the Memorial Gardens on Main Street and at the junction of Chapel Hill Road and Lower Old Pool Bank, as there are problems there as well.”

Coun Anderson is carrying out a leaflet drop around the village too, to highlight the problem.

The school is making a similar plea in its newsletter. Acting headteacher Sally Fox said: “For health and safety reasons dogs should not be brought on to the school grounds at any time, including after school when children from the Kingfisher Club often play outside.”