ON-THE-SPOT fines of £25 are to be issued to dog owners in Eden who fail to clear up after their pets.

Eden District Council's two dog wardens have been authorised to issue the fines and offenders will have 14 days to pay.

Over the next few weeks the wardens are targeting known problems areas, including the sports pitches and playing fields at Kirkby Stephen and Appleby.

To avoid being fined, owners are asked to collect the mess from their dog in a plastic bag and dispose of it in a dog bin or litter bin.

Poop scoops are available free of charge from the council at Mansion House, Penrith, and from many of the Tourist Information Centres in the area.

Anyone refusing to pay will face court action and a possible £1,000 fine.