DOG owners have reacted with anger at final proposals to amend controversial legislation banning dogs from the playing fields and pitches on Watchet's Memorial Ground.

Watchet Town Council, which brought in the dog exclusion order more than a year ago, agreed to review the legislation in the wake of fears over its public sector equalities duty.

The current ban leaves dog walkers with just two sides of the ground to exercise their pets, sparking concern that disabled people in particular are being denied full and equal access.

A four-strong working group of councillors set up by the council made its initial proposals for change public last month, which included extending the area available for dog walkers on the northern side of the ground and removing a pinch point on the western side.

Both extensions would give dog walkers a minimum of 2.5 metres access.

No change was proposed for the eastern boundary as it was felt the public road provided adequate access to the ground.

However, the group admitted that no agreement with the Watchet War Memorial Ground Committee - which represents users of the ground - had been reached on the southern side, which borders Doniford Road.

And this week councillors revealed that their final proposals would not include any changes to the south on the grounds that the improved access along the northern and western sides, together with plans to improve the access gate in the south east corner and the path at the north east corner, would provide a reasonable adjustment to meet equalities duties.

A move by some councillors to amend the southern side proposals with the inclusion of 2.5m access strip along the complete Doniford Road boundary failed to win majority support.

Cllr Mike Whetlor proposed the change but with five councillors in favour and five against, chairman Cllr Sally de Renzy-Martin backed the working group's recommendation for no change.

After the meeting, Sara Summers, of the Watchet Dog Owners Forum, said the organisation felt badly let down by the council's final proposals.

"It had the opportunity to create harmony within the town but seems to prefer to back the Watchet War Memorial Ground Committee's hard line on the south side," she said.

Mrs Summers said the memorial ground committee was insisting the area was a practice area.

"But how do they explain a full line of benches along it and how can ball sports be played on this strip of land with so many neighbouring homes having conservatories and windows?

"This is just another ploy to stop our access and to give any pleasure to the disabled and elderly dog walkers of the town.

"It saddens us all that a band of able bodied sports people want to exclude us from such a small area of the ground."

Councillors are keen to stress that the recommendations - the result of extensive consultations with a range of groups and authorities - are only proposals.

They will now go out to public consultation, although only written responses will be accepted.

During the consultation period, a full equalities impact assessment will be carried out on the ground and current signs will also be reviewed.

In addition, discussions will get underway to draw up a formal agreement between the memorial ground committee and the council aimed at defining their individual responsibilities.

The agreement would focus on grounds maintenance duties and costs, ensuring the legal duties of both parties were met.