CAMPAIGNERS in one of Hampshire's newest villages have begun a petition to prevent their dogs being banned from a popular recreation ground.

Dozens of people have already added their signatures and the number of concerned families in Whiteley is increasing daily.

The parish council started consulting on the possible banning of dogs from the Meadowside Recreation Ground because of the amount of dog mess being found.

Dog lover, Fiona Brindley, 30, and her neighbours are determined to fight any bylaw.

She said: "We started the petition as soon as we heard the parish council was thinking of introducing the ban. People obviously feel strongly about it because in the first few days we had over 70 signatures. Everyone we speak to is opposed to a ban. We would rather see the parish council doing something constructive about the problem of dog fouling."

Campaigners have called for steeper fines on people who do not clean up their dog's mess, more signs and bins and more dog wardens.

Last week the Daily Echo revealed that Whiteley Parish Council has received an increasing number of complaints about dog mess on the recreation ground especially from footballers who use the fields.

There are also concerns that a young child could contract toxicariasis, which is carried in dog faeces, and can cause blindness.

One woman dog walker, who did not want to be named, said: "We suffer abuse from the footballers every time they see us out with our dogs. We are the people who do clean up and yet we get shouted at."

Brenda Hatch, chairman of the parish council's recreation and general purpose committee, said nothing was set in stone and that the consultation was purely to gauge the public's response.

She said: "We have received complaints and need to consider them and that is why we are looking at the ban.

"We need people to come forward and make their point.

"If they don't we won't be able to make a decision.

"The council will be looking at all suggestions that are made."