RUGBY clubs forced to play on fields blighted by dog mess have backed plans to tackle the foul issue with days of action.

To send the message that owners must clean up after their pet or face prosecution, Tendring Council is offering the special days to towns and villages across the district.

A session will be held in Harwich in the next two months.

Harwich and Dovercourt Rugby Club chairman Barry Male said he would welcome anything to try to make the Low Road fields – where the club play their home matches – cleaner.

“Most dog owners who use the area are responsible, it is just some who let the others down.

“Anything which happens to try to get rid of the problem would be good.”

Mistley Rugby Club players have had to be hosed down after falling in muck on their Furze Hill pitch, and two years ago, a game was stopped seven times because of foul discoveries.

Chairman William Meston said the problem had not got any better and the council had to time the days rights to get its message across.