DOG owners had chance to talk to the experts and find out how to keep Northwich's beauty spots safe at a woodland event.

A Dog Day was organised at Marbury Country Park by Cheshire West and Chester Council's (CWAC) rangers and Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM) to promote responsible dog ownership.

People and their pets were given free packs of biodegradable dog poo bags and a chance to talk to an expert panel, including Columb McPhillips, dog enforcement officer, Ruth Turner, CWAC's dog warden, Mike Flannery, from the Well Heeled Dog Club, and Nigel and Berni Woodall, who sell Oscar pet foods.

Frances Findlay, from FoAM, said: "Dog fouling in public areas is a national issue and one which is ongoing in Northwich Woodlands, to which there are about 250,000 visits each year.

"It is especially a problem in the children’s play area in Marbury, where even the best behaved dogs on leads are not allowed.

"About 8 million dogs live in Britain.

"Dog owners have a legal duty to clean up every time in public spaces, including verges, footpaths and parks.

"Undoubtedly, almost all dog owners are responsible and do so.

"An excellent, recently produced leaflet from CWAC, featuring Mabel, a large Newfoundland dog, was also given to visitors, promoting the idea that ‘good owners make good dogs’.

"Dog foul can cause illness, especially to children and is also a criminal offence.

"‘Bag it and bin it. Any bin will do’ is the strong, positive message of CWAC’s current campaign to promote clean and safe neighbourhoods."

A similar awareness-raising event will be held at Anderton Nature Park on Wednesday, September 9.