A total of 12 new dog excrement control points will soon be in place around Douglas.

Councillors have agreed the measure in the wake of successful trials with one at Douglas Head and another in Noble’s Park.

The TIKSPAC dog waste stations dispense free biodegradable waste bags to dispose of the faeces.

Councillors were told the areas around the stations were clean, with only one mess reported nearby, no bags had been discarded and dog walkers were generally approving.

The station at Noble’s Park is to be moved closer to the dog walking area.

Chairman of the council’s Environmental Services Committee, Ritchie McNicholl, said he felt the current location, near the tennis courts and former drinking fountain, could encourage dog walkers to exercise their pets on the adjacent playing fields instead of in the dog walking area.

’We felt it should be in the dog walking area,’ he said.

’Wherever you put them it will encourage dog walkers.’

Councillor John Skinner said he was ’delighted’ the TIKSPAC scheme had been approved to continue and be expanded.