RESIDENTS are being asked to help the borough's environmental wardens catch dog owners who let their pets foul streets and parks.

Wardens have a range of powers to deal with dog fouling and other environmental offences such as littering, fly-tipping, graffiti and fly-posting.

In Darlington, council environment wardens are hoping residents in the worst-affected areas will help them catch the culprits.

Postcards have been produced urging people to call the wardens and report anyone they see allowing their dog to foul in the street.

The postcards, which include a hotline number, will be distributed in the worst dog fouling areas.

The wardens will follow up any reports and will issue fixed penalty notices of up to £50 to the culprits - or they could end up in court and face fines of up to £1,000.

Information cards are also being produced to remind people that leaving their rubbish out for collection too early can be an offence.

Fixed penalty notices can be issued for fly-tipping offences when rubbish bags are left in the street or back alleys.

The cards, which will be posted in areas where bin bag fly-tipping is a problem, will remind residents what day their rubbish is collected and what can happen if they leave bags out too early.

Wardens are also carrying out early morning patrols from 6am to try to catch people who fly-tip or allow their dogs to foul the streets and parks.

Councillor Stephen Harker, the council's cabinet member for consumer and environmental services, said: "The residents of Darlington do not want their parks and streets to become a health hazard because of a few selfish people.

"These postcards show how we can all play a part in keeping our communities clean and safe."