WEST Craven residents are being asked to comment on a new public space protection order to tackle dog fouling and ban smoking where children and young people play and exercise.

The new order will be used in Pendle to continue to clamp down on pets' mess in all public areas and to ensure dogs are always kept on a lead in cemeteries.

The order will add new penalties to support the current restrictions on people taking their dogs into any of Pendle’s 31 play areas and 15 multi-use games areas (MUGAs).

To back up the order, Pendle Council has joined the Keep Britain Tidy We’re Watching You campaign and there will be posters at hotspots to remind people to pick up after their dogs.

There will also be clear signs in all locations to advise people of the new controls.

Anyone with questions, concerns or comments about the proposals can contact David Alexander, Pendle Council’s senior environmental crime officer, on 01282 661389.

The consultation period will close on January 11.

Councillor Nadeem Ahmed, who leads on parks, recreation and cemeteries, said: “We carried out consultation about dog fouling and other dog-related problems earlier this year and received an enormous response.

“We have been fining people £75 if they don’t clear up after their dogs, or don’t keep dogs on leads in cemeteries, for many years now.

“But the comments we got back showed people also wanted dogs to be kept out of children’s play areas and multi-use games areas.

“The new order means we can better protect our children and young people while they play and exercise."