A BOLTON woman who campaigned to clear the town's streets of dog dirt has labelled her crusade a success.

Two years ago, Jean Campbell began lobbying town hall chiefs about a dog fouling problem close to her home in Beverley Road, Heaton.

The grandmother claimed the mess constituted a serious health problem to children and townsfolk.

Since then Mrs Campbell has visited other counties across the country to see how they tackle dog fouling and was even provided with an information pack from Berkshire County Council on its 10-year-plan to tackle the issue.

Yesterday, Mrs Campbell said: "I just want to thank all the people who have helped me during the campaign.

"The problem has definitely improved and that has benefited everyone in the town.

"I'm pleased that fines have been introduced but I don't think the warning signs about the potential fines are big enough. People might not realise the implications of letting their dog foul the pavement."

Since she began her campaign to raise residents' awareness of the danger of dog dirt, Bolton Council has employed a Dog Control Officer to help co-ordinate the clean-up mission.

And tough new penalties have been enforced by Bolton magistrates on a number of dog owners who allowed their pets to foul public areas.

Mrs Campbell added: "I would say the problem has been halved throughout the town although you still see dog dirt on the streets. People are now far more aware of the dangers."