YOUNGSTERS are kicking up a stink about the mounting problem of dog muck in Grangeway and are refusing to go on school outings until the problem is cleaned up.

Pupils at Halton Lodge Primary say it used to be a treat to walk to the park or around Festival Way to the local shops, but the presence of dog dirt has become so unbearable they'd rather stay indoors.

Teachers have been forced to dis-infect the stench from the classroom carpets on numerous occasions, and tots in the reception class are at a heightened risk of falling foul of the unsightly dirt.

Not only do staff have to clean it off their shoes, but they also ensure it is kept at a safe distance away from the childrens' eyes.

The health hazard creates a breeding ground for parasites and bacteria that can lead to blindness.

Now, 10 children who are members of the school council are appealing to dog owners and Halton Borough Council to take greater responsibility.

Linda Anderson, the school council co-ordinator, said: 'It's disgusting.

'It's obvious that some people at Halton Lodge have been walking their dogs without using bins.

'It's something that affects everyone.'

On one occasion a schoolboy's curiosity got the better of him when he picked up a plastic bag that flicked dog muck into his face.

His mother has since lobbied the council to take action before drawing the matter to the school's attention.

Headteacher Gaynor Dickson said: 'It is a health hazard.

'The boy's mother is really quite concerned and has spoken to me about it.'

Council bosses have admitted they applied for additional funding to provide more dog waste disposal bins - but were turned down.

The most damaging form of parasites and bacteria caused by dog muck is Toxocariasis which can lead to blindness and usually affects children under the age of 10.

It is a roundworm which lays its eggs in dog faeces and the eggs may be transferred to soil and then to the body through accidental swallowing.

Ten-year-old Emma Sheakey, chair of the school council, voiced her concerns: 'It's a disgusting mess and we want the owners to get rid of it.

'We also want more bins on the streets and not just in the parks. I'm going to be writing a letter to the local council.

'It's dangerous for the reception children if they touch their shoes and then their mouths.' Now, councillor John Swain of the Grange ward has promised to fight for more action on the children's behalf.

He said: 'Dog dirt is a big issue everywhere, but obviously the more bins the council puts out the better.

'It's also very important for dog owners to be more responsible.

'The signs that warn people about getting fined don't make a great deal of difference to be honest.

'But the council has got officials who deal with the problem and anyone caught can be brought before the court and made the subject of a fine.

'I will address the issue of bins to the council, but I think the most important thing is to appeal to people to be responsible.'

A spokeswoman for Halton council said: 'Extra bins have been bought and installed around the borough and paid for by area panel funding - which is the only funding available at the moment for this particular scheme.

'Although there are no bins around Halton Lodge Primary School, we do patrol on a regular basis and anyone who is caught not cleaning up after their dog is issued with a fixed penalty of £50.

'The council now has 25 staff who are trained and authorised to issue on the spot fines to people who do not dispose of dog waste in the appropriate manner.'