Machynlleth’s mayor has hit out at dog owners who allow their pets to foul in the cemetery.

Mayor Monica Atkins said that she and others were becoming increasingly frustrated with dog fouling in the town and said there was a particular problem at the cemetery.

She said she was annoyed by the problem, but didn’t know how to solve it.

Cllr Atkins said: “I don’t know what to do about the cemetery. There are signs up everywhere, but it’s still happening.”

Cllr Glenda Jenkins said trying to get irresponsible dog owners to clean up after their pets was a struggle.

She said: “I’m in total sympathy, but we’ve got a problem in the whole town and it comes down to irresponsible owners.

“It’s disgusting, it’s a health hazard and it causes a lot of upset, but how do you re-educate people? I’m at a loss.”

Cllr Jenkins said many people were reluctant to confront irresponsible dog owners in case they receive abuse.

She said: “The lady who points this out a lot has been verbally attacked by people.

“It does make you think whether it’s worth saying something.”

Cllr Jim Honeybill said dog fouling was an issue in communities across the country.