FOOTBALL teams in Melksham could be forced to stop using a playing field because it is covered in dog mess.

Terry Fallows, secretary of the Chippenham and District Sunday Football League, said referees had threatened to postpone matches involving the Parsons Nose and Pig and Whistle football clubs, because of potential health hazards on their Awdry Avenue pitches.

He has contacted West Wiltshire District Council's dog warden and town councillors to find ways of preventing the problem.

Mr Fallows said: "The teams are having to spend considerable time before matches clearing up dog mess from the pitch.

"Unless action is taken we will have to consider suspending football from being played here."

Michael Bailey, 48, secretary of the Parsons Nose football club is calling for dogs to be banned from the pitches.

St Michael's churchyard, Melksham, is suffering the same problem. Geoffrey Carr, of Canon Square, said: "I see dog walkers using the churchyard on a regular basis some even travel to the area by car."

Town councillors could take measures such as putting up more signs to warn owners they face a £1,000 fine if they do not clean up after their pets. Residents are also being asked to take down registration numbers of motorists who leave their dog's mess behind.

Clive Harland, environmental health co-ordinator and principal environmental health officer for the district council, said: "We will issue £50 fixed penalty notices if someone supplies us with a statement that confirms the offence and we can identify the offender."