OVERFLOWING dog mess bins, discarded cans and graffiti at a memorial garden in Charminster have left one local resident furious.

Mary Legrave said Bournemouth council is not doing enough to maintain Fampoux Gardens in Firbank Road, which was established as a memorial to those killed in a First World War battle.

The 74-year-old said she had called the council five times this year after dog waste bins and litter bins were filled but were not emptied, and that graffiti scrawled on the wall around the gardens had not been covered or cleaned away.

“I can’t drive or walk very well so I have to walk through the gardens to the bus stop, past the overflowing bins,” she said.

“It is disgusting and unhygienic, and very disrespectful at a memorial.

“I always pick up any litter I come across while walking through and put it in the bin, but I am not touching the dog mess all round the bins and on the lid.

“Queen’s Park is never left in this state, why can’t they clean this garden more regularly.”

The garden, which commemorates those killed in the 1917 Battle of Arras, near the village of Fampoux in France, was included on a list of potential sites for new housing in 2009 but was removed after an outcry from locals.

Mrs Legrave, who has lived in the area since 1966, said: “It was well-maintained up until this year, but standards have dropped.

“People have got so lazy, why can’t people put their litter in the bin.

“I don’t want to be a busybody but I can’t stand it.”

Council parks manager Andy McDonald said the park was regularly attended, with bins emptied and un-picked up dog mess removed.

“We take the issue of dog fouling extremely seriously in a bid to protect both public health and to keep our parks and gardens clean and attractive,” he said.

“We strongly urge dog owners to behave responsibly and pick up after their pets and use the bins provided.

“If we do catch individuals we operate a no excuses policy and will issue on the spot fines when necessary.”