A FENCE could be built around the children's play park at Christchurch Quay - because of a rise in dog fouling.

Christchurch Council are looking into building a fence around the new play area, following the fresh concerns about dog mess and also to increase security for young children playing.

The idea is supported by Christchurch Citizens Association who recently wrote to the council suggesting a fence should be installed.

The newly refurbished play area was unveiled with new equipment and surfacing.

And the council says they have received suggestions that a fence would make it even better.

There have also been reports that people have not picked up after their dogs which has meant that children have been put in danger of playing in the mess.

It comes after the rubbish bins on the quay were removed in March, as part of a trial to encourage people to take their litter home.

The move has been criticised by community groups and residents, and led to calls for the bins to be reinstated after pictures of dog bins filled with takeaway packaging and the quay strewn with litter were published.

Cllr Bernie Davis, portfolio holder for community, said: "As the site is in a flood plain we have needed to obtain permission from the Environment Agency for a fence, which must be of a particular type to allow water to flow through.

"We are now looking to get a fence similar to the one at the nearby splash park and are waiting for prices and designs from contractors.

"In order to construct the fence we would need to close the play area for a week and we of course would not want to do that over the summer. We will therefore be looking to install the fence in the autumn at the earliest.

"It is appalling that dog owners are not picking up after their dogs, particularly as there are dog bins at the Quay. We are looking to step up our dog warden patrols in the area to see if we can catch the perpetrators who will be fined."