Dog walkers scoured Grove Recreation Ground for dog mess in a bid to stop the problem.

Last Saturday, members of Grove Dog Walkers, Grove Rugby Club, Grove Challengers Football Club and Grove Parish Council found five piles of dog mess — one on the pitch.

Dog walker Dean Bateson, 25, of Albermarle Drive, said: "We wanted to be proactive rather than reactive to the issue with the new football season starting. We wanted to show that Grove Dog Walkers are doing something about the problem. It's five piles too many, but I don't think it's as bad as it's made out to be for a field that size."

The move follows Grove Parish Council's decision to work towards banning dogs from the recreation ground in Cane Lane after complaints from sports clubs about the health hazard they faced.

Parish councillor Richard Ackers said: "We will be considering the situation again at the next council meeting after we have decided on recommendations for the way forward."

Dog walkers hope to persuade councillors to reconsider.