DOG owners are on notice to clean up their act after Test Valley Borough Council's executive agreed to a blanket ban on dog fouling across all public areas in the borough.

Those who don't clean up after their pets face a £75 fine and there are dozens of people who will be allowed to dish out the fixed panalty notices to offenders.

Lynne Yeats, from the council's environment and health department said the ban will be enforced.

"There are a considerable number of officers authorised under the Clean Neighbour-hoods Act, including the wardens and environment and health staff," she said.

But resources will be directed at areas where there have been complaints while some places such as woodland could be also be exempt.

Land owner Daniel Busk asked about public footpaths across private land but was told the ban applied to them as well although either side of the foopath was a grey area'.

"This damn government has banned hunting with dogs on private land and has now banned something else with dogs - it really is too much," he lamented.

Councillors agreed to consult the community about areas where dogs could be banned completely in future.

These include children's play areas and areas used for sport.

Most dog owners have already adopted a more responsible attitude in recent years believes council leader Ian Carr. "I think the area feels safer and cleaner - certainly from a shoe point of view," he said.