CAMPAIGNERS are getting tough on the scourge of dog dirt on their streets - after setting up a 'dog poo tracker' online.

The problem has been a scourge across the locality, prompting Fairlie Community Council to set up a dedicated website where people can report and flag up 'finds'.

They hope it will help shame people into acting more responsibly while walking their pets.

Community councillor David Nairn explained: "This is an attempt to keep people informed.

"You can access the poo tracker from computer or mobile phone and people can record data about what they have encountered.

"Any comments or suggestions for tracker and the data it can gather is most welcome.

"This will hopefully create a better understanding of the seriousness of the dog waste issues in and around Fairlie."

The website link includes a map where you can pinpoint problem areas, before answering questions including when the dog dirt was spotted, size, and whether it was in a bag.

The tracker can be found at fairliecommunitycouncil.org

The issue was also raised at the recent Largs Community Council meeting.

They are hoping to repeat their high profile event where they put small flags on dog poo, pictured, found at Broomfields. Portencross has also carried out a similar initiative.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesman said: "Dog fouling should be picked up and disposed of in the nearest litter/dog bin or placed in your household waste bin. Biodegradable bags can be purchased from most supermarkets.

"It's an offence for anyone responsible for a dog not to remove and appropriately dispose of any faeces after the dog has fouled. This includes pavements and footpaths, roads and cycle ways, parks and recreational pitches, communal land, back greens, stair closes, any open land that the public has access to.

"Police Scotland and authorised council officers can prosecute people who are responsible for a dog and do not clean up after it once it has fouled in a public place. Responsibility includes children under the age of 16.

"You could receive a fixed penalty of £80."

Over the years there have been many efforts to raise the profile of the issue including the 'No Poo on my Shoe' campaign which was launched in Largs by young mums angry at the wheels of their prams being repeatedly soiled.

The issue has also become a problem in Millport and Skelmorlie, leading North Ayrshire Council to stencil fine warning signs on pavements.