Sir,

Tenby Swifts Under 12s started their rugby campaign against local rivals Whitland on Sunday, playing on the junior school pitch in Heywood Lane.

Before the game could start, however, a combination of players, coaches and parents from both sides were forced to inspect the entire playing surface as dog mess had been found when the players first trotted onto the pitch. In total, five areas of the pitch were affected by dog mess.

Apart from the inconvenience of having to carry out such an inspection I, as a hard working coach with the safety of the players foremost in my mind, a parent with concern that my son might be impacted with droppings on the pitch and finally as a conscientious dog owner, who understands my responsibility when it comes to clearing-up anything my dog deposits on the ground, appeal to dog owners not only those who use this area to walk their pet, but to those who use any area, sporting or otherwise, for 'walkies', to please clean-up and leave the surface as you find it.

The Heywood Lane pitch is not only used by the pupils at the junior school and by pupils from Greenhill during the week, the Tenby Swifts, who run mini and junior sides from Under 7 through to Under 16 use the pitch at weekends.

On behalf of everybody connected with the schools and club, I urge you to remember your responsibilities when walking your pet.

Chris Williams.