I AM appealing to dog owners who let their animals foul the footpaths and surrounding area of the Abbey Sports Centre, Pity Me, Durham.

I walk with two young children to a playgroup held in Newton Hall Community Centre adjacent to the centre. Daily, we avoid the dog dirt along the footpath running between the sports centre and its car park.

This footpath also runs alongside a children's play area. I have seen cars arriving and people letting their dogs out to exercise them in this public area.

I would like to ask all dog owners to act responsibly and please clean up after their dogs.

Heather Stanley, Newton Hall, Durham.