Complaints about dog mess are spiralling as closures of rural paths to halt foot-and-mouth force more owners on to Worthing's streets.

Two tonnes of dog dirt were cleared from bins in the town last week as countryside closures stopped rural walks.

But many owners now using the seafront and town parks have refused to clean up after their pets, causing the number of complaints to the council to double.

The authority has stepped up cleaning of footpaths while access to the countryside remains restricted.

The borough's two dog wardens, who have increased patrols of known trouble spots, urged owners to behave responsibly.

Warden Eve Gill said: "I cannot understand why people leave their dog's mess for others to tread in when they know what nuisance and risks to health this causes. It also gives all owners a bad reputation."

Worms found in dog mess can cause toxocara which could lead to blindness, particularly in children.

Warden Andy Munro said the situation had worsened since start of the foot-and-mouth alert.

He said: "There has been a big increase in dog mess in the borough because large areas of downland have been closed, meaning many more people are coming into the town's parks to walk their dogs.

"Many are clearing up after them, but many more are just leaving the mess behind, leading to a major risk from toxocara."

Kevin Chamberlain, the council's principal environmental health officer, said complaints had risen from 30 in the last three months of 2000 to 62 this year.

Worthing Beach, the green area behind Goring Beach, Brooklands, Victoria Park and Palatine Park were among the worst affected.

He said: "It's the nuisance value as it's so objectionable to people who use the parks to get dog mess on their shoes. It's also a health risk to children."

"We understand the situation and welcome people walking their dogs in the parks, but we'd ask them to be responsible, clean up after their dog and use the bins provided."

Free poop scoops are available from the council's environmental services section in Portland House, Richmond Road. There are more than 300 dog dirt bins in the borough.

Anyone with information on dog owners who repeatedly let their pets foul public areas is asked to call the dog wardens on 01903 239999.