“SELFISH and ignorant” people who fail to clean up dog waste when walking their pets in Westhoughton are being targeted by a new town council campaign.

Councillors agreed to buy 10,000 dog waste bags in an initiative coined “pick up your poo, it’s what you should do” by Cllr Phil Ashcroft, who represents the White Horse ward.

The bags, which will be distributed around the town in a drive to encourage people to use them, will cost £79 and will be sourced from George Twist Ltd, a local shop.

Councillors said there is no excuse for dog owners not clearing up after their pets as the waste bags are so inexpensive.

Cllr Christopher Peacock, for Westhoughton North and Chew Moor, stressed that he did not want people to get used to the bags being handed out and urged owners to buy their own as soon as possible.

Cllr Peacock, who owns a guide dog called Gilbert, said: “This is not about the town council or Bolton Council not doing things to tackle the problem. This is about the actions of selfish and ignorant people.

“Anyone that does not clean up after their dog does not care about Westhoughton or their community.

“As a dog owner, I feel very passionately about this as I never fail to clean up after my dog.”

The bags will be given out in bundles of 20 and will be available from Westhoughton Town Hall, with other locations to be decided.

The motion was put on the agenda of Westhoughton Town Council by Cllr Gill Williams, for Daisy Hill, who said: “I have had a lot of emails lately regarding the problem in Westhoughton and Daisy Hill.

“I think this council should be seen to be doing something serious to tackle it.”

Cllr David Chadwick, council leader, said: “When I take my dog, George, for a walk I take spare bags with me to pick up other people’s dog waste.

“It’s disgusting that people just leave their pet’s waste in fields and parks and that is why I support this motion.”

Councillors unanimously agreed to launch the campaign, with new Westhoughton mayor and borough councillor for Westhoughton South, Cllr Kevan Jones, among other dog owners supporting the campaign.