A VILLAGE council has said there is now “no excuse” for pet owners not to clean up after their pooches after becoming one of the first in the district to install new bag dispensers to help them pick up dog mess.

Tillingham Village Council decided to take action after reported problems with dog fouling at the West Field recreational ground.

They have now installed two bag dispensers near the site in a bid to reduce the problem.

A spokesman said: “We understand Tillingham is one of the first villages in the Maldon district to try these and we hope that they will be used responsibly in the future.

“There is now no excuse for dog owners not picking up after their dogs.

“The West Field is well used by Tillingham Pre-school children who run a daily mile, Tillingham Hotspur and Tillingham Tigers football clubs, Tillingham Cricket Club and the community.”

The cost was about £145 for each dispenser and the bags cost about 2.5p each, paid for from council tax.