Dog owners are urged to clean up after their pets following a surge in complaints about dog fouling on Ilkley Moor.

Complaints to Bradford Council have increased as people are getting more and more fed up with the deposits left behind which they say are spoiling Ilkley.

People have been spotted driving to the moor and letting their dogs out of the car simply for it to "do its business".

The animals are then let back into the vehicle and the owner drives off without clearing up the mess. They are being warned they face a £50 fine.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, the council’s executive member for environment and culture, said: “Nothing spoils a lovely walk on the moor as surely as stepping in a pile of smelly dog mess. Irresponsible dog owners are ruining other people’s enjoyment of the area so we are asking anyone who witnesses such behaviour to take down the car registration number and report it immediately to Bradford Council.

“We won’t hesitate to impose a fixed penalty fine of £50 on the owner.”

Coun Hawkesworth also urged people walking pets in Riverside Gardens to dispose of dirt responsibly instead of throwing it in the river because it pollutes the waters.