STAFF at Callington Town Council are being given the power to issue fixed penalty notices to anyone who drops litter or does not clean up after their dog in the town's streets, footpaths and parks.

It is a part of a zero-tolerance policy by the council to keep Callington tidy and protect its parks and amenities for the enjoyment and safety of others. It follows a rise in complaints from the public.

The council is also looking into the possibility of a dog ban order for the town if the problem continues to escalate. The fine for dog fouling is £80 or £50 if paid within ten days. There is a maximum fine of £1,000 if the case goes to court. The fine for littering is £75.

Environmental enforcement is the role of Cornwall Council but with enforcement officers having to cover large areas of the county, visits to Callington are not as frequent as town councillors would like.

Town clerk Helen Dowdall said with eight staff members working in the town all the time, there was a better chance of dealing with the problem.

She said:?'We get calls weekly on dog fouling and littering and it is worse during the summer months. At the moment we get more calls on this than anything else and the town council feels the enforcement service is inadequate.

'Town council staff will now be sent on a training course so they have the authority to issue fixed penalty notices for dog fouling and littering.'

The town council recently took over cutting the grass verges from Cornwall Council: 'Staff have always looked after the parks but now they are cutting the verges they can see any particular litter trouble spots and take action if anyone acts irresponsibly,' added Mrs Dowdall.

Callington portreeve Denise Winfindale said the problems were now at 'an unacceptable level'.

'We realise, once again, it is the minority causing the problem not the majority, but this is the only way we can do something about it officially.

'We cannot let this continue at the level it's at. It is a health hazard, particularly in the children's play areas.'

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said there were nine dog welfare officers and seven environmental crime officers working across the county but all frontline officers of the public health and protection service were authorised to take enforcement action against fouling and littering.

'Callington gets visited as and when required but about once a week on average,' she said. 'We are currently working with Callington Town Council, having visited their town council meeting, to get employees of the council trained to issue fixed penalty notices.'