ENVIRONMENT Agency staff have encountered a smelly and slippery problem when putting up Severnside North's flood barriers.

Flood defence operations officer Michael Weaver told Wyre Forest District Council's environmental health department dog mess was providing staff with a health hazard - and supplied photos to prove the point.

He asked the council to put up signs in an effort to reduce the problem.Severnside North resident Louise Edginton, a Bewdley town councillor, said she treats her dog as "one of the family" and always picks up its mess.