Cornwall campaigners want 24-hour dogs beach ban

The current time restriction is active between 1 May and 30 September.

Campaigners are calling for dogs to be banned from two Cornwall beaches round-the-clock during the summer months.

Dogs are banned from Porthminster and Porthmeor in St Ives between 0800 and 1900 BST, but campaigners said it should be extended.

They claim dogs have chased and bitten children, while dog owners have said a total ban would be unfair.

St Ives Town Council said it would be carrying out a review of dog control orders on the beaches.

Campaigners also want the period of the ban lengthened, bringing it forward one month to 1 April, and extending it by one day to 1 October.

Dog owner Paul Clarke said: "I think that [24-hour ban] would be very unfair on dog owners and unreasonable and unnecessary."

'Running free'

He said there were very few people on the beach early in the morning and all the dog owners he knew cleaned up after their pets.

Simon Norris is in favour of dogs being banned. He said: "My own child has been bitten and another knocked down by large dogs who are running free on the beaches.

"The dog also bit two other children. Dogs and young children do not mix," he said.

Campaigners told BBC News that owners who do not clean up after their pets had become a big problem.

Former St Ives beach cleaner, David Penberthy, worked at the sites for four years.

He said: "I came here every morning and picked up dog mess."

Dog owner Penny Stevens said: "If you're a responsible owner and pick up after your dog I don't see a problem."

Cornwall Council said it believed town and parish councils are in the best position to decide for or against dog bans in their areas.

St Ives Town Council said it would review dog control orders on the beaches and appealed for residents to come forward with their thoughts.