DOG fouling on the Dunster to Washford Steam Coast Trail has become so serious that parents with small children are boycotting the £1 million flagship footpath.

This week, Friends of the Steam Coast Trail threatened to ban dog owners whose pets were not on leads and install hidden cameras on the paths to trap offenders.

The problem has been growing since the £637,000 first phase of the trail – from Dunster Beach to Blue Anchor – opened in December 2016.

And it is said to have got worse since the £576,000 phase two stretch from Old Cleeve to Washford was completed last October.

“If things don’t seriously improve in the next few weeks we will be forced to take drastic action,” said the trail’s project officer Sarah Ellwood.

“People are really getting fed up.

“The problem of owners not picking up after their dogs on the footpaths has got completely out of hand . They are ignoring the bins provided and creating a serious public health problem.

“So many people have worked so hard to provide this fabulous facility and now it is being jeopardised by selfish and irresponsible dog owners.

“The path has become a major attraction – last summer we had up to 9,000 visitors a month and the majority are dog walkers.

“We have been forced to consider only allowing dogs on leads. This would be a last resort and a massive shame for all those responsible dog owners – and their dogs.”

Full report in this week’s Free Press (February 1).