'DIRTY' dog owners who don't pick up after their pets have been shamed in a video recorded by a man fed up of having to dodge piles of dog poo.

After constantly spotting piles of mess on paths near his home, the man decided to film his short walk to show how much muck there is on Battenhall Road.

But he said there was one saving grace - the "poo fairy" who sprays the muck so people don't step in it.

The man, who asked not to be identified, said: "I decided to record this to show the true extent of irresponsible dog owners.

"Only a small amount of repeat offenders can drastically transform a nice area into a place where you need to constantly keep an eye out, or bring mess into your home.

"I walked for another three to four minutes home and there was another seven or eight on the pavements.

"It's a few irresponsible owners that are ruining this area.

"I have no idea but someone spends their spare time circling poo who I call "The poo fairy".

"I haven't caught them at it yet but they deserve recognition for helping people to not step in it.

"It's different colours, blues, green, pink, yellow.

"There's one who circles, one who sprays on it directly. Maybe it's the same person?"

He said there was also a particular problem with dog muck and broken glass down Woolhope Road, Bolston Road, The Hill Avenue and London Road.

"Broken glass has meant trips to the vet a few times because sometimes you just can't see little pieces."

The Poo Fairy - otherwise known as PooWatch volunteers, has already seen the highest number of reports of dog muck through their mobile app.

Double the typical monthly amount has been reported in February already with 418 reports across Worcester compared to an average of 220.

Anda Phillips, volunteer co-ordinator, said they sprayed the piles not only to help people avoid it but also prompting dog owners to take note.

"During the winter months PooWatch have been using yellow spray as well as red so it is easier to see the offending poo in the dark mornings and evenings.

"Team Poowatch volunteers have the use of stencils to spray messages to prompt the offending dog owners to pick up after their dogs.

"We now have eco friendly chalk spray for children to use and team PooWatch have been invited to the Arboretum Residents Association monthly litter picks, which are on the last Saturday of the month, and hope to recruit the help of the local children in counting and spraying dog mess on their streets."

Grot spots include the canal towpath in The Arboretum.

"It is a particularly bad hot spot with 115 poos being sprayed in one week last month.

"PooWatch are in contact with the Canal and Rivers Trust to tackle this problem and the Arboretum local policing team have also been notified of the problem so they can be aware on their patrols."

Currently175 registered people use the app though it is possible to send a report anonymously.

In 2016, 34 different identified hot spot areas within the city from the data received in 2016 through the web app. The information is shared with civil enforcement officers and local policing teams.

Current grot spots also include the Arboretum, Neweys Hill in Northwick and the Battenhall area.

Community groups are welcome to borrow equipment from PooWatch to campaign in their area.

PooWatch supplies spray paint, stencils, gloves and safety notes to help people keep their streets cleaner and to prompt dog owners to pick up after their dogs.

For more information on PooWatch, visit poowatch.co.uk.