FURIOUS councillors say Harwich is being treated as the "poor relation" in Tendring after it was overlooked in schemes to tackle littering and dog fouling.

Tendring Council revealed two projects this week - putting up anti-littering signs on the A133 towards Clacton and holding a dog fouling and fly-tipping advice day near Clacton Pier.

But Harwich councillors Garry Calver and Jo Henderson have hit out at the council for failing to include Harwich in both schemes.

Mr Calver said: "I very much approve of the signs to deter drivers from littering but am surprised and disappointed that only one of the two major roads into the district is being targeted.

"The A120 also suffers from needless littering as do the towns and villages served by it."

Jo Henderson has been calling for action to crackdown of owners who fail to clean up after their dogs for years.

She said: "We are the poor relation out here.

"Its disappointing - I've had meetings over the dog fouling issue.

"There have been ideas put forward but nothing has come to fruition.

"There are lots and lots of residents who come to me about the issue but the council won't change the way they work and there is no enforcement and they don't fine people.

"Every morning there are people on the beach with their dogs because they know they won't be stopped.

"It would have been nice to be consulted if they are having this consultation day and for it to come to Harwich."

A spokesman for Tendring Council said the authority works hard to run initiatives across the district.

He said: “The two new anti-littering signs on the A133 are a pilot initiative, and if they are well received then we will look to install others on major routes into Tendring – though it is important we do not have too many otherwise people begin to ignore all the signs.

“Our waste advice sessions, giving out tips on tackling dog fouling and fly tipping, can be run anywhere in the district.

"If an organisation or parish council wants to run such a session in their area, then we would encourage them to contact the environmental team to arrange such an event."