DOGS could be banned from parks in Nottingham to get rid of disease-ridden dog mess.

Nottingham City Council said it would consider the action to protect the city's youngsters.

The authority wants to introduce its first dog control order for Chediston Vale Park, which it says has become a hotspot for dog fouling.

Officers say parents have complained about mess at the £220,000 play area, opened last year.

Anyone who breaches the order could be fined up to £1,000.

Neighbourhood manager Heidi May said dogs could be exercised at other parks, including Sandy Banks nature reserve, instead.

"That's only a five-minute walk away," she said. "We're trying to say, 'Let's make this an exclusive area where children and young people can play without picking up any disease'."

Consultation will be carried out before a decision is made.

If the council introduces an order it has a variety of options. It could ban dogs from the park, or just from the play area. It could also demand dogs are kept on leads or even restrict the number of dogs walked by a person at one time.

A city council spokeswoman said other parks could also be considered for a ban.

"Each area would be considered on a case-by-case basis," she said.

"We take into consideration complaints from the public, other park users and feedback from councillors. Chediston Vale Park is a new park with a children's play area and we have received many complaints, hence our decision to push for this order in the interest of the public."

Chediston Vale Park is about the size of two football pitches, a third of it covered by the play area.

Ward councillor Brian Grocock, who has two dogs, has called for dogs to be banned from the play area in the past.

The Labour councillor said: "When we have a public event on there, away days or barbecues we have to go round cleaning the place up before we can use it.

"We have had a difficulty with this particular park because it's got a large grassy area to it and a wild flower meadow on it. Dog walkers are coming on to it to exercise their dog."

Mr Grocock said the council decided to take the action after attempts to spot dog fouling in the act were unsuccessful.

Currently people can be fined £50 if they do not clean up their dog's mess.

As well as being a nuisance, germs in dog mess can lead to various infections, including a roundworm called toxocara canis.

This can be easily picked up by young children, causing stomach upsets, sore throats, asthma and, in rare cases, blindness.

Councils can pass dog control orders under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005.

The city council is currently compiling evidence for the Chediston Vale case, which will be presented to the area committee before a decision is made.

And if it proves successful, the council may look at introducing orders at other parks around the city, including Mosswood Crescent, Bestwood.

Keith Eley, 75, of Bestwood Park, who often takes his grandchildren to the parks in the area, said: "It's a concern, having grandchildren. You don't want them getting their feet in it. It's a health hazard."

If the order is passed, the city council has said there will be "regular patrols", which it hopes will be provided by agencies including different council departments and police.

Mansfield and Ashfield district councils are also considering introducing dog control orders.

To have your say about Chediston Vale call Heidi May on 0115 915 9129.

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