DOG walkers who leave their pet's mess in a children's park face being banned from the area in a proposed clampdown.

Swanley Town Council has received complaints from mothers who claim their children are constantly treading in dog's mess left around the lake in Swanley Park.

The council's local environment and amenities committee agreed on June 8 to consult the public over a proposed scheme to exclude dog walkers from areas of the park where children play.

The full council cabinet will make a final decision on the committee's findings on June 20 and, if approved, a pilot exclusion scheme would be effective during the summer holidays.

Councillor John Woodward said: "We get a lot of complaints about dog fouling, especially from young worried mothers.

"We don't want to upset dog walkers as it is just a minority whose dogs foul the park but there are serious health implications to consider."

If the pilot is successful the committee hopes a future ban, with enforcement costs met by the council budget, would run from March to September.

Mayor of Swanley Barrie Wigg highlighted the difficulty in enforcing the scheme.

He said: "The park is very popular with dog walkers.

"Children's health is important but dog owners need somewhere suitable to walk their dogs as well."

Professional dog walker Leigh Mitchem, of School Lane, Horton Kirby, said: "People should clear up after their pets in areas where children play.

"I would support the ban because everyone knows it is not very pleasant to step in dog's mess."