DOG owners don't want to be banned from Bournemouth beach.

Dozens have been commenting on the Daily Echo's website about proposals to permanently ban dogs from a section of Bournemouth beach.

At the moment dogs are excluded from the beach between May 1 and September 30 except at certain designated areas at Alum Chine, Durley Chine and Fisherman's Walk through to Hengistbury Head.

But yesterday Bournemouth Borough Council began an informal consultation which could see dog-free areas of the beach extended in the summer months and dogs barred completely from the main part of the beach all year round.

The consultation will run from October 3 to November 14 and members of the public are invited to have their say.

People are now being invited to comment on three proposals. They are: l no changes to the current bylaw l dogs to be kept on a lead on the promenades and cliff paths all year round and a seasonal beach dog ban to be extended to certain areas where dogs are currently allowed.

l as proposal two, plus a year-round dog ban in specific areas.

The news, revealed in the Echo yesterday, has sparked a debate at bournemouth echo.co.uk.

Beachut from Southbourne said: "Every dog owner should police the beach and make sure people do pick up. More bins would help. You can ban dogs on part of the beach but an overall ban would be completely stupid."

Gareth from Poole said: "The beaches are empty all winter. What's better, a bit of dog mess where few people go or all these dogs in the parks and pitches where people do go?"

John Brown from Bournemouth said: "The beach we are blessed with should be utilised in the winter months, Asking dogs to mix with traffic, football matches or playgrounds is not the answer."

But Jiser from Christchurch disagrees: "Great idea! Get the dogs and their owners off the beach."

Get copies of the proposals by emailing bournemouth.seafront@bournemouth.gov.uk.