DOG bins are overflowing after an unusual knock-on effect from the foot and mouth crisis has left dog-walkers without places to walk their dogs.

Open spaces around the Wooburn parish remain closed and dog walkers are packing into the limited areas that are open.

Gerry Barry, Wooburn Parish Council clerk, said those who are usually considerate and want to keep their dog waste under wraps have found there is no room left in the bins at Wooburn Park.

She said they have had to close footpaths and fields because of the foot and mouth crisis and as a result are having to step up dog bin collections in Wooburn Park, which is still open to the public.

She added: "As a rule we used to have just one collection a week but we had to lay on an extra collection last week and now we are trying to have two a week to keep up.

"Dog-walkers are trying to be responsible but it's not particularly easy when the bins are full. People are not really keen to take it home with them.

"If it's a sweet wrapper you could stick it in your pocket but it's not really the sort of thing you want hanging round in your handbag."

At a meeting of the open spaces committee last week, parish councillors recommended they will keep the closure policy to protect the area from foot and mouth, but it will be subject to a weekly review.

Wycombe District Council also shares the task of having to scoop the extra poop being deposited in certain areas.

A spokesman said that dog wardens have responded immediately to complaints by increasing the number of patrols district-wide.

She added: "The majority of open spaces have bins specifically for dog faeces, and we have increased the number of times per week the bins are emptied to take account of the extra business."